Simplify the process of July victim compensation
It is disheartening that many individuals injured in the July uprising—and the families of those martyred—are still waiting for their promised compensation that remains entangled in bureaucratic red tape. With Tk 5 lakh set for martyrs' families and Tk 1 lakh for the wounded, the one-time financial assistance should have been easier to access, yet the process of getting compensation continues to throw up challenges.
It begins with securing a seal from a BCS doctor or hospital director on the application form, which must be accompanied by hospital tickets or discharge certificates bearing an MBBS doctor's seal. Additionally, applicants must provide photographs of their injuries as well as a bKash number linked to their national ID for payment. These documents must then be entered into the Management Information System of a government hospital, upazila health complex, or the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Thereafter, the civil surgeon and deputy commissioner's office must verify the patient's permanent address before the documents can be submitted to the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation via post, email, WhatsApp, or in person.
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However, inefficiencies in government offices and hospitals—coupled with bureaucratic hurdles—have turned this process into an exhausting ordeal. Reportedly, families are often forced to make multiple trips across cities, spending large sums of money. For those living outside Dhaka, the situation gets even worse, with many reporting that they had to visit the July foundation seven or eight times due to missing documents or the unavailability of officials. Numerous additional complications have also been reported, making the compensation claim process not just difficult but also deeply humiliating.
Officials say that the strict procedures are necessary to prevent fraud and other irregularities. But the inefficiency of the system is undeniable, and they cannot shirk responsibility for it. It is unacceptable that after enduring immense suffering during the uprising, victims and their families must now face further hardship simply to receive the support they deserve.
Under these circumstances, we must reiterate our call for the authorities to simplify and expedite the compensation process. If the current workforce engaged in this process is inadequate, it must be expanded immediately. The authorities must also investigate why deserving recipients are facing such difficulties and take immediate corrective measures.
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