On paper, Tk 126,272 crore, the amount earmarked for social safety net programmes, looks to be a hefty sum. But the sum flatters to deceive: as much as 60 percent would be going towards those not in dire need.

Even though poor people are struggling to make ends meet amid runaway inflation, the government allocation for social safety net programmes may not increase much in the next fiscal year.

The government of Bangladesh signs an agreement with the World Bank under which the lending agency will provide $245 million additional financing to improve equity, efficiency and transparency of the country's major safety net programmes.