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planned to evolve into a universal social identity card by 2030. The government also aims to raise social protection spending to 3 percent of GDP by 2028.

At present, 95 social safety net programmes are operated under 23 ministries, with an allocation of Tk 1.26 lakh crore in the current fiscal year, accounting for 1.87 percent of GDP.

HOUSING SCHEME

In the DO letter, the social welfare minister said the government’s manifesto sets out a comprehensive plan to improve the living conditions of floating and internally displaced communities, including skill training, permanent rehabilitation, and mass housing for urban floating populations.

To this end, Tk 735 crore has been proposed to construct 500-square-foot flats for 5,000 families, particularly those living in Korail and other slums in the capital, according to the letter.

The letter highlighted a manifesto commitment to establish a “Special Children Welfare Fund” for disadvantaged and orphaned children. Under the initiative, the children would receive free education, stipends, and support services.

Measures will be taken to create job opportunities and cover healthcare expenses for these children, said the DO letter as the ministry sought Tk 100 crore in the next fiscal year to launch the fund.

In addition, the ministry has sought Tk 600 crore to provide monthly allowances to orphans living in private orphanages.

According to the letter, Tk 280 crore was allocated in the 2025-26 fiscal year to provide Tk 2,000 per month to each of 1,16,666 orphans in private orphanages. However, the number of institutions and beneficiaries has since increased.

With a plan to extend the allowances to 2,50,000 orphans, an additional Tk 320 crore will be required, said the letter.

The social welfare minister also proposed an additional Tk 24 crore for the Sarkari Shishu Paribar, state-run children’s homes that provide care, education, training, and rehabilitation for orphaned and fatherless children.

There are 85 such facilities in the country -- 43 for boys, 41 for girls, and one for both -- in the district towns and some upazilas. The ministry sought Tk 74.16 crore in the next budget to run them, up from Tk 49.99 crore.