Home spending up Tk 122 cr

The minister in his budget speech also proposed to increase the government contribution to the monthly salaries of union council 'dafadars' and 'mahalladars' and raise them from Tk 350 and Tk 500 to Tk 500 and Tk 700 respectively.

He said the government has attached top priority to the improvement of law and order and building a society free from terror.

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Despite resource constraints, the minister said, the government has already increased allowances for police personnel, aiming to encourage them to work with a greater sense of dedication.

In addition, the number of persons enjoying family ration has been substantially increased. This year an armed battalion was raised and 5,813 new posts were created, he added.

He said steps have been taken to arm the police with modern weapons and to provide them with appropriate training. They will also be provided with an increased number of vehicles.

Accommodation problem of the police is also being resolved and in the 2002-03 fiscal, two new battalions of the Bangladesh Rifles were raised, he added.