Govt to build 100,000 affordable flats for low-income families under PPP scheme

The government has announced plans to construct 100,000 affordable flats for low-income families through public-private partnership (PPP) projects at 58 locations nationwide, including the Korail slum in Dhaka, Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher told Parliament on Sunday.

Responding to a question from Independent MP Rumeen Farhana (Brahmanbaria-2), the minister said the proposed sites were identified under the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2022–2035 prepared by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) to expand access to affordable housing for lower-income groups.

Affordable housing projects across the country

Taher said the government has also launched a phased housing project on 98 acres of National Housing Authority land at Dattapara in Tongi, Gazipur, where residential flats will be built for limited-income families.

He added that another project, supported by development partners, is aimed at improving living conditions in 37 slums across Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Barishal, Khulna, Kushtia, Mymensingh and Narayanganj City Corporation, along with several municipalities.

According to the minister, the Rajshahi Development Authority has begun a project to build 16 flats in the Padma Residential Area for low-income households. Meanwhile, the Khulna Development Authority is preparing a residential apartment project on about eight acres of land in Harintana Mouza.

He also told the House that a proposal is under consideration to develop rental housing for low-income residents on around 83 kathas of Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) land in the Saltgola area. The project is expected to be implemented either through self-financing or under a PPP arrangement.

Govt to amend Parents Maintenance Act

Replying to a question from Jamaat MP Nazmun Nahar, Social Welfare Minister Abu Jafar Md Jahid Hossain said the government is preparing amendments to the Parents Maintenance Act, 2013, following consultations with relevant stakeholders.

The proposed changes will revise provisions relating to imprisonment, fines and other penalties, he said.

Social safety net beneficiary verification underway

Responding to a question from MP Fazle Huda (Naogaon-3), the minister said the government is conducting a nationwide verification drive to identify genuine beneficiaries of social safety net programmes and remove ineligible recipients.

A re-verification committee was formed on April 19 under the Cabinet Division after allegations of political influence and irregularities in beneficiary selection in previous years, he added.

Higher allowances proposed in FY2026–27 budget

In response to a question from MP Zainal Abdin (Feni-2), Jahid Hossain said the proposed FY2026–27 budget includes an increase in the monthly old-age allowance from Tk650 to Tk700, while the number of beneficiaries will rise from 6.1 million to 6.2 million. The proposed allocation has been raised to Tk52.39 billion from Tk47.91 billion in the current fiscal year.

The government has also proposed increasing the monthly allowance for widows and destitute women from Tk650 to Tk700 for around 3 million beneficiaries, with a total allocation of Tk25.35 billion.

Similarly, the monthly disability allowance is set to increase from Tk900 to Tk1,000 for 3.8 million beneficiaries, with a proposed allocation of Tk45.87 billion.

The minister further informed Parliament that 69,387 women heads of households have so far received assistance under the Family Card programme through 56 pilot units in 55 upazilas across 44 districts. He added that the beneficiary database is being updated regularly and more eligible families will be brought under the programme.