News Desk :
The interim government has decided to increase the allocation for celebrating Independence and National Day on 26 March, compared to the last two years.
This year, the allocation has been set at Tk 6.94 crore, an increase of Tk 1.24 crore from last year, according to sources at the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and the Ministry of Finance.
As in previous years, the government is allocating funds to each upazila administration to ensure smooth celebrations nationwide. Allocations are also being made to various ministries, departments, and organisations to implement national activities or programmes approved in an inter-ministerial meeting.
In 2023, a total of Tk 5.7 crore was allocated for Independence Day celebrations, with Tk 5.57 crore allocated in 2022.
Sources revealed that the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs sent a letter to the finance secretary on 6 March, seeking approval to withdraw funds allocated to the Ministry for Independence Day celebrations. The allocation for deputy commissioners has been doubled this year.
For the past two years, Tk 1 lakh was allocated to implement national programmes, including hoisting the national flag and organising parades, but this year, the allocation has been increased to Tk 2 lakh.
Additionally, a total of Tk 48 lakh is being allocated to the administrations of 64 sadar upazilas, including Dhaka, with Tk 75,000 allocated to each administration.
The remaining 435 upazila administrations, excluding sadar, will receive Tk 60,000 each, totalling Tk 2.61 crore. These funds will be used to organise reception programmes for the brave freedom fighters.
In 2023, the allocation for the other upazilas, excluding the sadar upazilas, was Tk 2.17 crore, compared to Tk 2.16 crore in 2022.
Yesterday, a press release from Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ office announced that no parade will be held in Dhaka this year due to renovation work at the National Stadium. However, parades will still take place in the remaining 63 districts of the country.
The government will also provide special meals to prisoners in various prisons across the country, with Tk 12 lakh allocated for this purpose.
While most agencies and departments have seen an increase in allocations for the national day celebrations, the two Dhaka city corporations and the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs will see a decrease in their funds.
The government has allocated Tk 32 lakh to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs this year, a reduction from the Tk 1.2 crore allocated in both 2024 and 2023.
The ministry will use the funds for activities such as coordinating nationally adopted programmes, managing invitations, setting up gates, banners, festoons, and branding.
Several institutions that previously held programmes on Independence Day will not receive allocations this year, as no programmes have been scheduled.
These institutions include the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Bangladesh Police, the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters’ Association, the Central Command, and the Liberation War Museum.
