Social Welfare Minister Dr Dipu Moni has announced that the government's social safety net allocations for various beneficiaries will not be increased in the upcoming budget.
She made this statement on Saturday while visiting the Northern Bengal Museum in Kurigram, responding to journalists' questions.
The minister said: "At this moment, it will not be possible to increase the amount of the allowances. The allowance is not the sole means of support for any beneficiary. It is given for many reasons, including ensuring that the beneficiary does not feel helpless and knows that the government stands by them."
She further added that the allowances will certainly be increased in the future as the country's and the government's capabilities grow.
In response to journalists' complaints about irregularities and data concealment at the district social service office, Dipu Moni said: "Such complaints are certainly serious. I will discuss this matter with the concerned parties."
She did not provide any immediate clear instructions to the subordinate office regarding the publication of the list of beneficiaries or the accessibility of information.
Under the Ministry of Social Welfare's social safety net, the government provides various financial benefits, including an old age allowance, a widow's allowance, a disability allowance, a one-time medical allowance, and allowances for students with disabilities.
Dipu Moni: Govt working to improve quality of life of people with autism Beneficiaries receive a monthly old age allowance of Tk600, a widow allowance of Tk550, and a disability allowance of Tk850. In Kurigram alone, nearly 77,000 individuals benefit from the disability allowance.
However, due to rising prices, beneficiaries are struggling to manage the allowances they receive. As a result, they have been demanding an increase in the amount of the allowances.
