The Election Commission has released around Tk 2.7 billion of the total funds allocated for the expenses of law enforcement agencies during the 11th Parliamentary Elections.
EC sources confirmed that the released funds will reach Bangladesh Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) , Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Ansar-VDP and Bangladesh Coast Guard in a couple of days.
The Ansar and VDP battalion will get Tk 1.64 billion among which food expenses are around Tk 1.41 billion, Tk 54.4 million for fuel and the rest for miscellaneous expenses.
Although the Ansar-VDP has been allocated the largest sum in total, it is nowhere near what they had asked for, which is double the total allotment.
Meanwhile, Tk 632.2 million has been released for the police among which food expenses are Tk 361 million, Tk 133.5 million for fuel and the rest for miscellaneous expenses.
Around 200,000 police will remain on the field for a total of seven days for which they asked the EC for Tk 4.24 billion among which Tk 1.5 billion has been granted to be paid in two instalments before and after the polls.
BGB forces have been given Tk 334 million among which food expense is Tk 115 million, fuel is Tk 33.5 billion and miscellaneous expenses. Sources said they had asked the EC for a total Tk 700 million but it might be cut down to Tk 350 million.
Around Tk 102 million has been released for elite law enforcement agency RAB. Tk 36.4 million has been allocated for food, 32.4 million for fuel and the rest for miscellaneous expenses.
The EC has allocated a total of Tk 100 million for Bangladesh Coast Guard among which Tk 16.5 million has been released. Among the Tk 16.5 million, Tk 2.4 million is for food expenses, Tk 8.4 million for fuel and the rest for miscellaneous expenses.
The EC had slated out Tk 4.1 billion for the armed forces in its initial budget. However, the budget has been way overstretched.
The budgeted amount has already been allocated amongst the law enforcing agencies and a new budget must be drawn up for the army.
Moreover, for the first time, village police will be deployed and each of them will be paid Tk 1000 per day.