Monthly allowance doubled for Bangladesh War veterans aged 65

The finance minister has proposed to double the monthly allowance of the freedom fighters aged 65 or beyond.

Abul Maal Abdul Muhith proposed the increase of monthly allowance to Tk 10,000 from Tk 5,000 while presenting his Tk 3 trillion national budget for 2015-16 fiscal in Parliament on Thursday.
 
He said his government was implementing programmes for the welfare and rehabilitation of the freedom fighters and their family members.
 
He listed some of the initiatives such as enhancement of the amount of honorarium, provision of ration and medical services, and preservation of quota in public services and educational institutions for the freedom fighters’ children and grand-children.
 
Provision of grants in aid to organisations of freedom fighters and granting VIP status to gallantry award recipients and injured freedom fighters are other notable initiatives.
 
Apart from construction of 50 monuments across the country in memory of the Liberation War, projects were underway to preserve and develop the killing grounds and mass graveyards, Muhith said.
 
War museums and libraries were also being established to spread the spirit of the Liberation War among the young generation, the minister added.
 
“I am happy to propose the increase of monthly allowance to Tk 10,000 from Tk 5,000 for the freedom fighters who have crossed the age of 65.”