Govt broadens financial assistance eligibility for widows

The government has expanded the eligibility criteria for financial assistance to widows and women deserted by husbands by including those earning up to Tk15,000 annually. Previously, the allowance was limited to a yearly income of Tk12,000.

A draft policy in this regard was approved today at a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office, Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain said at a press briefing at the secretariat after the meeting.

He also said despite a recommendation from the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, the cabinet decided that government offices will remain operational on 9 April.

Earlier, the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order recommended extending the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday by one day, starting from 9 April to facilitate smoother travel for holidaymakers returning to their hometowns.

Announcing the changes to the selection process in the widow allowance policy, he said applicants must apply online to receive the allowance in future. Currently, the selection process is conducted through local public representatives and administration.

Additionally, beneficiaries will receive the allowance through the G2P (Government to Person) system, with funds transferred directly from the government account to the beneficiary's Mobile Financial Service (MFS) account.

Currently, 2,575,000 people are receiving this allowance at Tk550 per month. The number of beneficiaries is expected to increase due to policy changes.

Apart from this, the cabinet meeting granted in-principle and final approval to the drafts of the Bangladesh Payment And Settlement Systems Regulations, the 'Foreign Voluntary Organizations (Regulation of Acquisition of Immovable Property) Act, and the Tariff Commission (Amendment) Act.

No extension to Eid holidays

The cabinet secretary said the issue of declaring a holiday on 9 April was discussed in the cabinet meeting, and the cabinet decided to maintain the existing holiday schedule as per the calendar. Accordingly, government offices will be open on 8 and 9 April.

With Eid-ul-Fitr anticipated to be observed on 11 April this year, the government had previously announced 10 April to 12 April as Eid vacation days (subject to moon sighting).

The cabinet secretary said that the two months preceding Ramadan (Rajab and Sha'ban) of the Arabic calendar comprised 29 days each, which experts contend cannot occur for three consecutive months, necessitating the third month to be 30 days.

Consequently, Ramadan will be observed for 30 days this year. Therefore, 29 Ramadan is not designated as a holiday, he said.

Mahbub Hossain further said that employees' optional leave opportunities remain intact, and they can avail themselves of it if they wish.