AN ALLEGEDLY unequal application of the rule for the disbursement of state benefits to the families of the martyrs of the July uprising, which toppled the Awami League regime on August 5, 2024, is worrying as the proposition has sparked off disputes, created resentment and intensified insecurity in the families. Whilst some widows have received the full one-time grant of Tk 3 million in the form of savings certificates in the first phase, some others have so far received varying amounts of the grant. Whilst some widows have received Tk 1 million, some others have received, as 抖阴精品 reported on August 13, amounts ranging from Tk 625,000 to Tk 700,000. Yet, whilst in some cases, the widows have received the money, in some other cases, the money has been given to the in-laws of the widows, parents or the father of the martyrs that is, leaving the widows in financial straits as many do not see any hope of raising their young children without the state benefits.
What has compounded the proposition is that government officials say that respective inheritance laws for the Muslims and the Hindus have primarily been considered in the disbursement of state benefits. In such cases, the government has shared the state benefits between the widows, along with the children, and the parents, specifically the father, of the martyrs. The government seeks to say that rules on the disbursement are still pending approval, which might happen soon, but the rules have been worked out in keeping with the inheritance laws so that neither side is deprived. And, now after the death of their husband, the widows say in many cases they are not welcome to their in-laws鈥� which has given rise to the fears that they would be left with money for them and their children. Several widows say that an inequitable disbursement of the benefits has only plunged them into further insecurity and disappointment. A ranking official of the liberation war affairs ministry, who looks after Directorate of July Mass Uprising activities, says that in cases with disputes, they would act on the decisions of the advisory council. But legal experts argue that the government should, rather, consider family circumstances case by case and disburse the money keeping to their need as inheritance laws apply when a person dies leaving behind property and wealth. And, the cases in which martyrs have left behind their widow with children should be given high priority.
The government should, therefore, work out rules that would apply equally to all cases and should see that the widows, along with their children, effectively benefit from the state benefits.
