Bangladesh Proposes Monthly Allowance Hike for Decorated War Veterans

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The government has proposed a significant increase in the monthly honorarium for families of gallantry-award-winning freedom fighters as part of the 2026-27 national budget. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury announced in Parliament on Thursday that the monthly allowance for these families will be raised by 5,000 taka, while the standard honorarium for general freedom fighters remains unchanged at 20,000 taka.

Under the new proposal, the monthly stipend for the families of Bir Shrestha recipients will rise to 40,000 taka, while families of Bir Uttam awardees will receive 30,000 taka. The families of Bir Bikram and Bir Pratik recipients will see their monthly payments increased to 25,000 taka. These families will also continue to receive existing benefits, including festival bonuses, Bengali New Year allowances, medical assistance, and funeral grants.

According to data from the Freedom Fighter Welfare Trust, these national honors were established through a gazette notification on December 15, 1973, to recognize the extraordinary bravery displayed during the 1971 Liberation War. The awards include seven Bir Shrestha, 68 Bir Uttam, 175 Bir Bikram, and 426 Bir Pratik titles.

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Beyond direct financial stipends, the government is prioritizing the living conditions of veterans. The Finance Minister confirmed that the upcoming budget includes the construction of 4,730 “Bir Nibash” housing units to ensure secure and dignified accommodation for freedom fighters across the country.

The budget also addresses support for the victims of the July mass uprising. The government will maintain the ongoing monthly payments for martyrs’ families, who currently receive 20,000 taka. For those injured during the uprising, the government provides tiered monthly support based on the severity of their injuries: 20,000 taka for category A, 15,000 taka for category B, and 10,000 taka for category C. The new budget proposes expanding this assistance by adding 1,857 new beneficiaries, bringing the total number of recipients to 16,513.