Dhaka: Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon today announced in Jatiya Sangsad that the government is intensifying efforts to expedite the disbursement of retirement and welfare benefits to teachers and employees of non-government educational institutions. This initiative aims to address long-standing delays through a series of targeted measures.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the issue is being treated with utmost priority, with concrete steps already underway to resolve it. Milon made these remarks while responding to a scripted question from opposition lawmaker Md Rayhan Shirazi (Rangpur-1) in the House.
Official data indicates that a total of 80,320 applications are pending with the Non-Government Teachers and Employees Retirement Benefits Board, involving an estimated Tk 9,638 crore. Of these, approximately 59,820 applications remain unsettled, necessitating around Tk 7,176 crore.
For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the government aims to process about 20,500 applications, with an allocated budget of Tk 2,462 crore. So far, around 6,000 applications have been settled, with approximately Tk 700 crore disbursed. The remaining funds are expected to cover payments for nearly 14,500 more beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the Welfare Trust for non-government teachers and employees continues its regular disbursement of welfare allowances. The trust is mainly funded through a 4 percent contribution from the salaries of MPO-listed teachers and staff. However, its annual income stands at about Tk 660 crore, while expenditure amounts to around Tk 840 crore, resulting in a yearly deficit of approximately Tk 180 crore.
To address the funding gap and accelerate benefit disbursement, Milon stated that the government has undertaken several initiatives. These include increasing allocations to the Welfare Trust, considering at least Tk 200 crore annual support from the national budget, and planning to transform the trust into a revenue-generating entity through the construction of its own building and education complex.
Additionally, steps are being taken to grant the trust tax-exempt status, potentially saving around Tk 7 crore annually. Since 2018, an online application system has been in place to enhance transparency and efficiency. From January 1, 2025, the process has been integrated into the iBAS++ platform, enabling direct transfers of funds to beneficiaries' bank accounts.
The Minister emphasized that with the implementation of various government initiatives, the timely disbursement of welfare allowances and retirement benefits for private teachers and employees will be ensured. 'Activities in this regard are ongoing,' he concluded.