Ineligible beneficiaries eat up Tk 1,500 crore annually

The ineligible beneficiaries of the social safety net programme meant for elderlies and widows eat up around Tk 1,500 crore every year because of poor targeting and administrative weakness, according to the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).

The leakage amount could cover 25 lakh more elderlies and widows who could qualify for the support, the think-tank said in a survey report.

The CPD revealed the findings during a dialogue on "How to improve coverage and effectiveness of the Social Safety Net Programmes? Findings from a primary survey".

The CPD and the Christian Aid jointly organised the event at the Brac Centre Inn.

It has been estimated that there are 33 lakh old age persons and 25 lakh widows in Bangladesh eligible to receive the support under the scheme. But they have not been included in the programme as beneficiaries yet, said the CPD. 

It recommended increasing the allowance amount to Tk 2,500 for elderlies and widows from Tk 500 now, considering the higher inflation, which has been maintaining a higher rate for nearly a year owing to a surge in global commodity prices as well as higher fuel, energy and transportation costs at home. 

It also recommended to increase the allowance from Tk 150 to Tk 2,000 for primary education stipend programme.

The government will require Tk 88,824 crore additionally if the amount is raised as per the recommendation, said the CPD.