The interim government has initiated financial assistance for the injured individuals and the families of martyrs from the July uprising.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus formally launched the programme today by distributing cheques to the families of 21 July martyrs and seven injured individuals at his office.
Present at the event were Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam, and Special Assistant (State Minister) Professor Dr Md Sayedur Rahman.
During the meeting, members of three martyr families and three July fighters spoke about their experiences, raising concerns regarding the trial of the mass killings, state honours, financial aid, and rehabilitation. Their emotional recollections of the July movement moved many to tears.
The government outlined its support measures for the July victims. Under the new policy, the martyrs of the July uprising will be officially recognized as 'July Martyrs,' and the injured will be called 'July Fighters.' Both groups will receive identity cards.
Each martyr's family will receive a one-time financial grant of Taka 30 lakh. This amount will be disbursed in two phases: Taka 10 lakh through the national savings bond in fiscal 2024-2025 and Taka 20 lakh through the bond in July of fiscal 2025-2026. Additionally, they will receive a monthly allowance of Taka 20,000. Working members of these families will be given priority in government and semi-government job placements.
The July fighters will receive benefits under two medical categories:
Category A (Severely Injured Fighters)
A one-time financial grant of Taka 5 lakh, disbursed in two phases: Taka 2 lakh in fiscal 2024-2025 and Taka 3 lakh in fiscal 2025-2026.
A monthly allowance of Taka 20,000.
Lifelong medical facilities in government hospitals and access to medical services in both domestic and foreign hospitals upon the recommendation of a medical board.
Access to necessary training and rehabilitation services.
Category B (Other Injured Fighters)
A one-time financial grant of Taka 3 lakh, disbursed in two phases: Taka 1 lakh in fiscal 2024-2025 and Taka 2 lakh in fiscal 2025-2026.
A monthly allowance of Taka 15,000.
Priority access to training and employment in government and semi-government sectors.
All July fighters will be issued identity cards, granting them access to various government benefits.
So far, the government has officially recognized 834 July martyrs through a gazette notification. A separate list of the injured has been compiled and will soon be published.
Speaking at the event, Information Adviser Nahid Islam acknowledged the delay in institutionalizing these measures.
"We understand your desire for these initiatives to have been implemented sooner. However, there was no lack of sincerity on our part," he said.
He emphasized that the entire interim government, including the Chief Adviser, has been dedicated to honouring the July heroes.
"Given the crisis during which we assumed responsibility for the state, we could not proceed as swiftly as you wished. For this, I sincerely apologize," he added.
