Editorial
Raise in freedom fighters' allowance
More needs to be done
THE government's decision to raise the decorated freedom fighters' monthly allowances is a step in the right direction. It has been long overdue.
What these great sons of this soil and their family members had been getting so far in the name of allowance was a pittance. And it was certainly not the right way to honour them.
The amounts proposed as allowances for the different categories of title holders from Bir Sresthas at Tk.12,000 down to Bir Protiks at Tk6,000 are way above the previous levels, but will need to be readjusted periodically.
However, the government's responsibility does not end with enhancing the allowances for the decorated freedom fighters only. In fact, the harder part of the task lies ahead, since a large number of genuine freedom fighters are still remaining outside the fold of the government's safety network. Many among them, who are still alive, and their family members, are living in extreme penury need to be sought out and brought under the umbrella. There are also the war heroes, who have died in the meanwhile leaving their families in the lurch and needing attention. The challenge before the government is to reach out to the genuine freedom fighters with financial support.
Usually with any government grant there is potential for corruption at the disbursement level. The administration would have to be on guard to seal off the possibilities of extortion.
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