Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate a government programme on March 14 to provide monthly allowances to imams, muezzins, khadems, and other religious leaders across Bangladesh, officials said on Sunday.
The programme, announced by the Prime Minister’s Public Administration Adviser Md Ismail Zabiullah, will cover religious leaders of all faiths and is part of the BNP government’s election pledge.
“Since taking office, steps have been taken to implement manifesto commitments, including initiatives like the Family Card and Farmer’s Card. This programme is another milestone in that effort,” Ismail Zabiullah said.
Under the pilot phase, 4,908 mosques, 990 temples, 144 Buddhist monasteries and 396 churches will be included.
The monthly allowance has been set at Tk10,000 per mosque and Tk8,000 per other religious institutions.
Festival allowances will also be provided: Tk1,000 for mosque staff during Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha, and Tk2,000 for other religious institutions during Durga Puja, Buddha Purnima and Christmas.
The allowances will be directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through Sonali Bank by 15 March to ensure transparency and prevent corruption.
The programme is estimated to cost Tk27.13 crore in the current fiscal year.
Ismail Zabiullah further said that the initiative aims to provide financial support for religious leaders while fostering social and religious harmony across the country.
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