The Ministry of Finance’s Social Safety Net Advisory Committee held its 32nd meeting on January 25, 2026, chaired by Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed. The meeting approved an increase of Tk 5,000 in the monthly allowance for decorated freedom fighters and families of martyred freedom fighters, raising it from Tk 20,000 to Tk 25,000. Several other social welfare allowances, including those for widows, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and mothers under the Mother and Child Support Program, were also raised.

The committee finalized beneficiary numbers and allowance rates for 15 social safety programs for the 2026–27 fiscal year. Recommendations included bringing 273,514 new fishermen under the VGF program, increasing old-age allowance beneficiaries to 6.2 million, and expanding support for widows, disabled persons, and disadvantaged groups. The one-time medical assistance for patients with serious diseases was doubled to Tk 100,000, and the number of beneficiaries under the Food-Friendly Program was raised to 6 million families.

These adjustments aim to strengthen Bangladesh’s social protection framework and expand coverage for vulnerable populations in the upcoming fiscal year.