The interim government has proposed to support 55 lakh families under Food-Friendly Programme in the national budget for fiscal year 2025–26, an increase of 5 lakh families from that in the previous fiscal year.
In addition, the duration of the benefits has been extended to six months from the next fiscal year, up from five months at present.
Previously, 50 lakh low-income families were entitled to receive 30 kilogrammes of rice per month at a subsidised rate of Tk 15 per kilogramme over a five-month period under the programme.
Since January 2025, the government has also been distributing essential commodities such as lentils and soybean oil among 57 lakh families using “smart family cards” through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh.
This initiative aims to shield marginalised communities from the persistent effects of inflation.
Furthermore, the government has undertaken an initiative to establish a “Dynamic Social Registry” to ensure more accurate identification of eligible beneficiaries under its broader social security framework.
The inflation rate has remained above 9 percent for the past two years, although recent figures indicate a marginal downward trend.
