Dhaka, Aug. 10 -- More than 86,000 religious institutions will come under a state honorarium scheme this fiscal year.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs said on Monday that 86,709 institutions will benefit, comprising 82,656 mosques, 3,000 temples, 752 Buddhist temples and 301 churches.

The ministry said 256,074 religious leaders serving at these institutions will fall under the state benefit, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman set to formally launch the scheme later this month.

The decision followed a recent meeting of a cell tasked with implementing the government's election manifesto pledge: monthly honoraria and training-based welfare measures for Imams, Muazzins, Khadems and others serving at religious institutions.

Md Ismail Zabi...