July uprising victims to receive grants up to Tk5 lakh, low-interest loans

Staff reporter :

The Ministry of Social Welfare has revised its long-running rehabilitation scheme to extend direct financial support and rehabilitation facilities to individuals injured during the July Uprising of 2024.

Under the new provisions, victims will now be eligible for one-time cash grants ranging from Tk1 lakh to Tk5 lakh, alongside access to low-interest loans of Tk50, 000.

The scheme, formally titled “Implementation of Rehabilitation Programme for Burnt and Disabled Persons”, was first introduced in 2002 to assist acid attack survivors but has since been expanded several times.

The latest revision comes in light of the widespread violence and injuries sustained during the anti-discrimination student movement in July and August 2024, which left thousands injured across the country. Officials said the changes are meant to reflect “the present reality and the nature of violence recently witnessed.”

According to ministry guidelines, any person who has suffered physical or psychological harm during the movement—or in similar incidents in the future—may apply for support. Injury verification will be conducted by certified doctors and cross-checked by social workers.
Applicants will be prioritised based on severity of incapacity, with the highest priority given to those unable to work.

Additional priority groups include the elderly, women, the poor, landless and homeless individuals, marginalised communities, and families with multiple dependents.

Those already receiving disability allowances will not be eligible for the cash grant but may still access interest-free microcredit loans if recommended for rehabilitation.

The grant amount depends on both the type and severity of injury as well as the applicant’s financial condition. Families with an annual income below Tk2 lakh (around Tk16,666 monthly) qualify for assistance.

Around Tk1 lakh: For temporary loss of function in one hand or leg, or for trauma/mental imbalance, Tk2 lakh for permanent loss of function in two limbs, loss of eyesight/hearing, or internal head injuries and Tk5 lakh reserved for the most serious cases, such as permanent disability due to amputation or major organ damage.

Individuals sustaining multiple injuries may qualify for several grants, but the total per person cannot exceed Tk5 lakh. The July Shaheed Smriti Foundation has estimated that nearly 12,000 individuals were injured during the student-led uprising.

Already, the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has taken steps by covering medical expenses and providing monthly allowances of Tk20, 000 to registered victims.

For the fiscal year 2025–26, the government has allocated Tk60 crore for the revised programme, partly supported by the World Bank.

However, ministry officials acknowledged that if all gazetted victims apply, the allocation will fall short, and further budget increases may be required.

By expanding the programme beyond its original scope, the government aims to not only provide immediate financial relief but also enable long-term rehabilitation through medical support, vocational training, and microcredit facilities.