Massive Boost in Education and Tiffin Allowances

In a major move to support the families of government employees, the National Pay Commission has recommended a significant increase in children's education and tiffin allowances. According to the final report submitted to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus yesterday, the Education Allowance is proposed to increase by Tk 1,500, bringing the new monthly total to Tk 2,000 per child.

The 23-member commission, led by former Finance Secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, emphasized the need to match the rising cost of living. Another major highlight is the recommendation for the Tiffin Allowance, which is proposed to jump from the current Tk 200 to Tk 1,000—an increase of Tk 800 per month for eligible employees.

Expanded Benefits for Low and Mid-Tier Employees

The commission’s report, presented at the State Guest House, Jamuna, includes several structural changes to existing allowances. For the first time, Transport Allowance is recommended to be extended to 10th-grade officers; previously, only those from the 11th to 20th grades were entitled to this benefit. Additionally, the Boishakhi Allowance is proposed to be set at 50% of the basic pay for all employees.

In a landmark step toward social inclusivity, the report proposes a dedicated Disability Allowance of Tk 2,000 per month for employees with children with disabilities, applicable for up to two children. Regarding House Rent, the commission has suggested a tiered approach where lower-grade employees (11th to 20th) receive higher percentage hikes compared to senior officers in the 1st to 10th grades.

Pension and Medical Security for Retirees

The 9th Pay Scale aims to provide a robust safety net for pensioners. Those receiving less than Tk 20,000 monthly are recommended for a 100% increase in their pension. For those in the Tk 20,000 to Tk 40,000 bracket, a 75% increase is proposed, while those above Tk 40,000 will see a 55% rise.

Medical allowances for retirees have also been categorized by age:

• 75+ Years: Tk 10,000 per month.

• 55–74 Years: Tk 8,000 per month.

• Under 55 Years: Tk 5,000 per month.

• 40 Years or Below: Tk 4,000 per month.

Proposed Salary Jumps Across Key Grades

The report recommends doubling the basic salary for many grades to align with current inflation rates. The 1st Grade basic pay is proposed to rise from Tk 78,000 to Tk 1,60,000. The 10th Grade is set to move from Tk 16,000 to Tk 32,000, while Grade 15 will increase from Tk 9,700 to Tk 22,800. At the lower end, Grade 19 is proposed to rise from Tk 8,500 to Tk 20,500.

If implemented, these recommendations are expected to drastically improve the quality of life for 1.5 million government employees and their families. The government has already set aside Tk 22,000 crore for the initial partial rollout, with full implementation slated for July 1, 2026.