More than fifty-seven thousand elderly persons are getting old-age allowances in seven upazilas of the district, reports BSS.
In the last fiscal year, the social welfare ministry has disbursed Tk34.44 crore as the old-age allowance among extreme poor, neglected and physically challenged elderly people. Officials of the social welfare department said the area of social safety net program is expanding day by day. The amount of the allowance and number of the beneficiaries are increasing every year.
The amount of the allowance is being deposited directly in the bank account of the beneficiaries, making the money withdrawing process more easy. A beneficiary gets Taka 500 in each month and the amount is disbursed in every three months.
Deputy Director of the social welfare office Nazrul Islam said men over 65 years and women over 62 years are qualified for the allowance.
Foyez Hossain, 70, of Kodalia village of Sadar Upazila said, he lives with his son. He buys emergency medicines with the allowance as his son cannot afford to bear all medical expenses of his father.
