Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the newly introduced Family Card will function as a smart card in the future, through which citizens will be able to access various national services and benefits.
He made the remarks while inaugurating the Family Card distribution program across 41 wards of Chattogram city at Chittagong Airport High School ground on Tuesday morning.
Speaking at the event, the minister said Bangladesh’s future cannot be secured unless women, particularly female heads of families, become economically strong and confident.
He noted that although women manage household responsibilities from morning to night, their contributions have rarely been properly recognized.
Under the Family Card initiative, announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, housewives from disadvantaged families have been selected so that financial support can be directed to those most in need.
Through the program, Tk 2,500 is being transferred directly to the bank account of the female head of each family, enabling them to gain greater financial independence.
Emphasizing the need to reduce economic inequality, the minister said Bangladesh cannot continue with a system where only the upper class enjoys the benefits of the state while others remain deprived.
He said the government aims to focus on marginalized communities, and although the program initially targets the poorest households, low-income groups and eventually the middle class will also be brought under its coverage.
Amir Khasru praised the role of government officials in implementing the initiative, saying the Family Card program demonstrates that with strong commitment and public engagement, even large-scale projects can be executed within a short period.
He said the government has fulfilled this election pledge within just one month of taking office.
The minister also announced that additional welfare initiatives, including a Tk 12,000 crore loan waiver program for farmers as well as free healthcare and agricultural cards, will be introduced in phases.
The event was chaired by Shahadat Hossain, mayor of Chattogram City Corporation.
Among others present were State Minister for Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, Abu Sufian, Divisional Commissioner Md Ziauddin and Deputy Commissioner Md Zahidul Islam Miah.
In the first phase, 5,575 Family Cards were distributed among female heads of households in different wards of the city.
AH/SH
