Tk35,708cr set for expanded safety net for FY27

 The BNP government, through its flagship initiatives – the Family Card, Farmer's Card, canal excavation, and tree plantation programmes – plans to bring around 1.2 crore people under the social safety net within the upcoming fiscal year.

Besides, the government is increasing both the number of beneficiaries and the allowances under various cash transfer schemes for poor and vulnerable groups. Also, food-friendly programmes are being expanded amid high inflation. 

Overall, under 18 types of allowances and food assistance programmes within the social safety net, a total of 2.6 crore beneficiaries are being currently served, with an allocation of around Tk21,701 crore. In the next fiscal year, 3.63 crore people are expected to receive benefits worth Tk35,708 crore under these programmes.

These decisions were finalised at a meeting yesterday, chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, on the social safety net budget for the fiscal 2026-27, according to several officials present.

They said the next budget includes plans to bring a large population under flagship programmes. Also, around 2.56 lakh will also receive stipends under the government's commitment programme for people working in mosques and other places of worship.

The finance minister is scheduled to present a Tk9.30 lakh crore budget proposal in parliament on 11 June, outlining a roadmap to transform Bangladesh into a welfare state.

Allocation for social safety net programmes in the current fiscal year stands at Tk1.16 lakh crore. In the next budget, it may exceed Tk1.30 lakh crore.

Towfiqul Islam Khan, additional research director at CPD, said the government's planned life-cycle approach to social protection could gradually evolve into universal coverage.

"However, beneficiary selection must remain transparent during phased implementation," he told The Business Standard. "Even under the initial family card programme, around 18% of recipients were reportedly ineligible, raising concerns over targeting efficiency."

He added that transitioning towards a welfare state would require a review of the National Social Security Strategy, a commitment also reflected in the BNP's election manifesto. "However, a major challenge would be revenue mobilisation, without which implementation of such initiatives would remain difficult."

Family, farmer's cards

According to finance ministry data, the government plans to raise the number of family card beneficiaries to 41 lakh. After the formation of the government in February, the administration began implementing its pledges through the launch of this programme. 

Family card holders currently receive Tk2,500 per month, with an allocation of Tk12,384 crore planned for the next fiscal year. In the current fiscal, the target is to distribute 80,000 cards, costing Tk72.95 crore.

Another key initiative is the farmers' card programme. In the fiscal, efforts are underway to bring 2,067 farmers under the scheme. In the next fiscal, 42.5 lakh farmers are expected to receive the card, each receiving Tk2,500 annually, costing the government Tk1,062.5 crore.

The canal excavation programme is another major initiative. In the current fiscal, it covers 26.67 lakh beneficiaries, and the government plans to increase this to 34.02 lakh. 

The programme will cost around Tk88 crore in the current fiscal year, but expenditure is expected to fall to Tk75 crore in the next fiscal year.

Old-age, widow, disability allowances

Currently, 61 lakh elderly citizens are receiving an old-age allowance of Tk650 per month, with total government expenditure standing at Tk5,313 crore.

For next fiscal, the government has decided to extend coverage to 62 lakh beneficiaries. The monthly allowance for those below 90 years will be increased by Tk50 to Tk700. Those aged 90 and above, numbering around 2.05 lakh will receive Tk1,000 per month.

The number of beneficiaries under the widow and destitute women allowance scheme will not be increased next year, as eligible women can access support through the family card programme. As a result, 29 lakh women will remain under this scheme.

The monthly allowance for this group is currently Tk650 and will be raised to Tk700. However, around 25,000 beneficiaries aged 90 and above will receive Tk1,000 per month. Spending under the programme will rise to Tk2,459.67 crore, compared to Tk2,277.83 crore in the current fiscal year.

In the current budget, 34.5 lakh persons with disabilities receive Tk900 per month, with government expenditure amounting to Tk3,752 crore. In the next budget, the number will increase to 36 lakh. While the basic allowance remains unchanged, beneficiaries aged 90 and above will receive Tk1,000 per month from next year.

The number of stipend recipients in education will not increase next year. However, monthly stipend rates will be raised by Tk50 across all levels, including primary, secondary, higher secondary, and tertiary education.

As a result, primary-level students will receive Tk950 per month, secondary students Tk1,000, higher secondary students Tk1,100, and tertiary-level students Tk1,350. A new stipend rate has been set for higher secondary students, who will receive Tk1,100.

The number of beneficiaries among transgender people, the Bede community, disadvantaged groups, and tea workers will increase by more than 3,000. However, their allowance amounts will remain unchanged.

Double allowance critical treatment

Currently, patients suffering from cancer, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, stroke-induced paralysis, congenital heart disease, and thalassaemia receive government support. In the current fiscal year, 60,000 patients have been allocated Tk50,000 each, totalling Tk300 crore.

For the next fiscal year, the assistance will be increased significantly. A total of 65,000 patients will receive Tk1 lakh each, raising total allocation to Tk650 crore.

Meanwhile, the Mother and Child Support Programme is set to expand further. The number of beneficiaries will increase to 18.95 lakh next year. Beneficiaries currently receive Tk850 per month, a rate that is likely to remain unchanged.

Increased stipends for gallantry awardees

In the next budget, the monthly stipends for families of Bir Sreshtho, Bir Uttam, Bir Bikrom, and Bir Protik awardees are being increased by Tk5,000. However, stipends for general freedom fighters and others may remain unchanged.

Under the revised structure, families of Bir Sreshtho recipients will receive Tk40,000 per month, Bir Uttam families Tk30,000, and Bir Bikrom and Bir Protik families Tk25,000 each.

The stipend amounts for families of martyrs and those injured in the July mass uprising will remain unchanged, although the number of beneficiaries may increase by around 2,000.

Food assistance programme

Under the ongoing food assistance programme, the government is currently providing rice support to 55 lakh families for six months a year at Tk15 per kg, with each family receiving 30kg per month. This coverage will be expanded to 60 lakh families. 

In addition, under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme, 13.26 lakh people are receiving assistance. This number may rise to 15 lakh in the next budget.

Under the employment generation programme for the ultra poor, 4 lakh people receive a daily allowance of Tk500. Meanwhile, under the VGF programme, 10.4 lakh women receive 30 kg of rice per month. These schemes will continue in the next fiscal year.