In a major overhaul of the national welfare system, the interim government of Bangladesh has sanctioned a substantial increase in allowances for veterans and vulnerable groups. The 32nd meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Social Security Programmes, presided over by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed on Sunday, 25 January 2026, approved a series of financial uplifts designed to provide a more robust safety net for millions of citizens.
Table of Contents
Landmark Support for War Heroes
The most significant adjustment pertains to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. The monthly allowance for titled freedom fighters and the families of martyred veterans has been raised by 5,000 BDT, increasing from 20,000 BDT to 25,000 BDT.
Furthermore, the committee recommended that families of martyrs and those injured during the July 2025 Mass Uprising be integrated into the social security framework. This reflects a broadening of the state’s definition of “national sacrifice,” ensuring that contemporary heroes are afforded the same dignity as those of 1971.
Overview of Social Security Adjustments (2026–27)
| Beneficiary Category | Updated Monthly Rate (BDT) | Beneficiary Target |
| Martyred Freedom Fighter Families | 25,000 | Existing List |
| Elderly Persons (General) | 700 | 5.99 Million |
| Elderly Persons (Aged 90+) | 1,000 | 205,000 |
| Widows & Deserted Women | 700 | 2.9 Million |
| Persons with Disabilities | 900 – 1,000 | 3.6 Million |
| Mother & Child Programme | 850 | 1.89 Million |
Expanded Provisions for the Vulnerable
The Ministry of Social Welfare has seen its remit expanded across several key sectors:
Elderly Support: The total number of elderly beneficiaries has been increased to 6.2 million. Crucially, the committee introduced a tiered system where those over the age of 90 will receive a premium rate of 1,000 BDT per month.
Disability Rights: The number of recipients for disability allowances has reached 3.6 million. In tandem, educational stipends for disabled students were increased by 50 BDT, now ranging from 950 BDT at the primary level to 1,350 BDT for higher education.
Critical Illnesses: In a vital move for healthcare access, the one-time medical grant for patients suffering from cancer, kidney disease, or stroke-induced paralysis has been doubled from 50,000 BDT to 100,000 BDT.
Strengthening Food and Labour Security
The committee also addressed the needs of the working poor and the food-insecure. The Fisherman VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) programme will now include an additional 273,514 fishermen, bringing the total to 1.5 million individuals.
Additionally, the “Food-Friendly Programme” managed by the Ministry of Food has expanded its reach to 6 million families. These households are entitled to purchase 30kg of rice per month at a highly subsidised rate of 15 BDT per kg during the lean seasons. For mothers, the “Mother and Child Support” programme was expanded by 124,000 beneficiaries, now supporting nearly 1.9 million mothers with a monthly stipend of 850 BDT.