Beggars to see their place on the list
The allocation under the social safety net programme in the upcoming budget is likely to be made around Tk 13,810 crore, up by 11 per cent from the allocation of the outgoing fiscal year, a high official at the finance ministry said. The honorariums, given to the beneficiaries under seven to eight categories to ensure partial financial safety for the marginalised segment of the society will be adjusted upward marginally in the proposed budget for 2014-15 fiscal year.
In most cases, the hike will be between Tk 50 and Tk 100.
Besides, the number of targeted population now under different categories of safety net programme, which is around 40 lakh, will be increased, the official said.
The next budget to be unveiled on Thursday is likely to bring the beggars of certain regions under the social safety net programme. The social welfare ministry has already done a survey in this regard and enrolled 6 lakh beggars as eligible for the allowances.
The honorarium for freedom fighters may see the highest rise, from the current Tk 3,000 to Tk 5,000, hinted a finance official. The allocation for the sector is likely to be at Tk 1,250 crore, which is around double than the current fiscal’s allocation.
The amount of allowance and the number of beneficiaries under the heads of lactating mothers, widow and maternity allowance would increase.
Above one lakh mothers are now given maternity allowance and another around 80,000 lactating women get Tk 350 as monthly allowance.
Allowance for insolvent handicapped people may be increased to Tk 500 crore from present amount of Tk 350 crore.
Under the social safety net programme, the allowance to the elderly people and widows would increase by Tk 100 per head per month. Presently, they get Tk 300 every month, sources confirmed.
About 17.3 per cent, or around 25 million, of the country’s population still live in extreme poverty, according to the latest Household Income Expenditure Survey.
-With New Age input
