Govt raises allowances for four categories of wounded freedom fighters

The government has revised the monthly honourary allowances and other financial benefits for gallantry award-winning freedom fighters, wounded freedom fighters and the families of martyred freedom fighters.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs issued a gazette notification in this regard on Wednesday (15 July). The revised rates have taken effect retrospectively from 1 July 2026.

Under the new rates, recipients of the Bir Uttam gallantry award will receive a monthly honourary allowance of Tk30,000, while recipients of the Bir Bikram and Bir Protik awards will receive Tk25,000 each.

The government has also revised allowances for wounded freedom fighters based on the degree of disability under four categories -- A, B, C and D.

Category A freedom fighters, with 96% to 100% disability, will receive a monthly basic allowance of Tk30,000. Including Tk2,000 for medical expenses and Tk5,000 as a food allowance, their regular monthly benefit will total Tk37,000.

Living beneficiaries under Category A will also receive an additional Tk8,000 support allowance, bringing their total monthly benefit to Tk45,000. However, this additional support allowance will cease after their death and will not be transferred to their heirs.

Category B freedom fighters, with 61% to 95% disability, will receive a basic monthly allowance of Tk28,000. Including medical and food allowances, their total monthly benefit will amount to Tk35,000.

Those in Category C, with 20% to 60% disability, will receive a basic allowance of Tk23,000, while their total monthly benefit, including medical and food allowances, will be Tk30,000.

Category D beneficiaries, with 1% to 19% disability, will receive a basic monthly allowance of Tk20,000. Including medical and food allowances, their total monthly benefit will be Tk27,000.

The notification also said wounded freedom fighters will receive two annual festival allowances, each equivalent to their respective basic monthly allowance.

Living wounded freedom fighters will additionally receive Tk5,000 on Victory Day and Tk2,000 on the Bangla New Year.

The government said the revised benefits were approved under the powers vested in it by Section 3(1) of the Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust Act, 2018, in recognition of the extraordinary courage and contributions of gallantry award-winning, wounded and martyred freedom fighters during the Liberation War.