July Uprising victims now eligible for grants up to Tk5 lakh, low-interest loans
Govt amends burn, disabled rehabilitation policy to include those injured in July Uprising and similar future movements or other incidents
One-off grant for July uprising victims:
- Temporary loss of function in one hand/leg: Tk1 lakh
- Temporary loss of function in two hands/legs, eyesight, or hearing: Tk2 lakh
- External head wound/organ damage/trauma: Tk1 lakh
- Internal head injury: Tk2 lakh
- Permanent disability/amputation/serious organ damage: Tk5 lakh
- Maximum total per person capped at Tk5 lakh
- Besides, they will have access to low-interest loans of Tk50,000
The social welfare ministry has revised its special programme titled "Implementation of Rehabilitation Programme for Burnt and Disabled Persons" to extend benefits to individuals injured during the July Uprising.
Under the amended policy, those injured are eligible to receive a one-off grant ranging from Tk1 lakh to Tk5 lakh, in addition to access to low-interest microcredit loans of Tk50,000.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
According to ministry officials, the policy changes were introduced to aid those injured during the anti-discrimination student movement in July and August 2024. The amendments also ensure that individuals injured in similar future movements or other incidents will be eligible for assistance.
The policy states that the revision was deemed necessary "in view of the reality, considering the nature of various types of violence that have occurred recently".
The scheme aims to provide medical care, financial assistance, job training, and microcredit to burnt, injured, and disabled individuals whose lives have been disrupted.
Injury assessments will be made by registered doctors and verified by social workers. However, disabled individuals who already receive a disability allowance will only be eligible for interest-free microcredit if they qualify for rehabilitation and will not receive the one-off cash grant.
This programme will be implemented across the entire country. Burnt, injured, and disabled persons can apply for benefits under this programme at any time at the Upazila Social Service Office or a hospital.
In accordance with the policy, the physically incapable, meaning those who are completely unable to work, will be given the highest priority. Priority will also be given to the eldest individual, backward communities, the poor, the landless and homeless, applicants with multiple dependents, and female applicants.
Benefits and categorisation
The July Shaheed Smriti Foundation reports that hospital data so far lists 12,000 individuals injured during the anti-discrimination student movement. The liberation war affairs ministry has categorised these injured individuals into three categories and has already initiated medical expenses coverage and a monthly allowance of Tk20,000 through its ministry.
The new definition of an "injured person" under the revised policy is someone who has suffered physical or mental injury and trauma after being involved in a conflict, confrontation, or accident for reasons other than personal gain.
Grant disbursement
The quantum of the grant, which ranges from Tk1 lakh to Tk5 lakh, will be determined by the injury type and the severity of the physical and mental injuries, in addition to the applicant's economic situation, provided the family's annual income is less than Tk2 lakh (a monthly income of Tk16,666 or less).
An individual who sustains a temporary loss of function in one hand or one leg is eligible for Tk1 lakh. For the loss of function in two hands or two legs, or an injury resulting in damage or loss of eyesight or hearing, the maximum one-off grant is Tk2 lakh.
Injuries such as an external head wound, damage to other organs, or suffering from trauma or mental imbalance are each eligible for Tk1 lakh, while an internal head injury receives Tk2 lakh. The highest maximum one-off grant is Tk5 lakh, which is reserved for an individual who suffers the permanent loss of function due to any form of amputation or serious organ damage.
An individual may be eligible for compensation for multiple injuries, but the total assistance provided to one person cannot exceed Tk5 lakh.
The scheme was first introduced in 2002 as the "Rehabilitation Programme for Acid Burn and Disabled Persons", mainly to support acid attack survivors. It was amended in 2010 and again in 2015, when assistance ranged from Tk5,000 to Tk20,000, with microloans capped at Tk30,000.
For the fiscal 2025-26, the government has allocated Tk60 crore for the programme, supported by the World Bank. However, officials admitted that if all gazetted victims of the July movement apply, the current budget will not suffice. Authorities are now considering an increase in the allocation.
