Govt approve retirement benefits for deprived defence officers

The government has approved retirement-related benefits for 150 former officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces following a review of claims that they were subjected to discrimination, injustice and politically motivated actions during their service between 2009 and August 4, 2024.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on Wednesday( 2 july) the beneficiaries include 115 officers from the Bangladesh Army, 21 from the Bangladesh Navy and 14 from the Bangladesh Air Force.

The ministry said the decision was taken after a comprehensive review of applications submitted by officers who alleged that they had faced various forms of discrimination, administrative injustice and politically motivated actions during their military careers over the specified period.

The approval of retirement benefits follows the recommendations of a special committee formed by the Ministry of Defence to examine the applications and assess the merits of each case.

The committee reviewed relevant records and considered proposals and recommendations submitted by the respective service headquarters before finalizing its findings.

“The government has taken this decision after carefully examining the committee’s recommendations and the observations submitted by the Army, Navy and Air Force headquarters,” the ministry said in the statement.

The move is expected to provide long-awaited administrative and financial relief to the affected officers and reflects the government’s efforts to address grievances related to service-related discrimination and ensure institutional fairness within the armed forces.

Officials said the approved benefits would be processed in accordance with existing rules and regulations governing military retirement entitlements.