July warriors to get Tk15,000, Tk20,000 as allowances per month: Adviser Farooq

The July warriors will receive Tk15,000 and Tk20,000 as allowances per month, said Farooq-E-Azam, adviser to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, today (17 February).  

Mentioning the July Directorate will be launched this week or soon, he said the martyrs of last year's July uprising will be declared as "July Martyrs" and the injured as "July Warriors" with recognition and names.

"Certificates and identity cards will be given to them," he said while talking to reporters after a session of his ministry on the second day of the DC Conference in Dhaka.

The liberation war affairs adviser said July warriors would receive one-time and monthly allowances as well as rehabilitation according to three categories.

"Three categories are being made. Category A warriors will get a one-time grant of Tk5 lakh and a monthly allowance of Tk20,000. Category B warriors will get a one-time grant of Tk3 lakh and a monthly allowance of Tk15,000. Category C warriors will get rehabilitation and priority in government jobs," he said. 

Responding to a question, Farooq said the next government that comes to power will also come with the spirit of the July uprising. "Therefore, we hope the next government will also prioritise the issues of July martyrs and warriors."

He said the deputy commissioners (DCs) of all districts have been instructed to find fake freedom fighters, and those found to be fake will be brought to book.

"Jatiya Muktijoddha Council [JMC] has been reorganised. The definition of a freedom fighter is also being changed. Accordingly, freedom fighters will be verified in every district. Fake freedom fighters will be identified from there. Later, they will be brought to book," the adviser added.

Farooq, also the adviser to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, said disaster management and relief operations materials would now be collected locally. 

"This decision has been taken to ensure quick delivery to the beneficiaries, decentralisation and transparency. Upazila nirbahi officers [UNO] will purchase these goods under the supervision of DCs. Tk3 crore has been allocated for this purpose in each upazila," he added. 

Farooq said UNOs will buy goods as per the need. "Relief materials are currently purchased centrally, causing items to be bought from the same place repeatedly."

He said DCs had been instructed to closely monitor local rehabilitation, TR, and Kabikha activities. Instructions have also been given to ensure proper implementation of other infrastructure projects.