Family cards will provide cash, priority will be given to those

The newly elected government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has decided to provide 'family cards' to 50 million families in the country. The decision was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Secretariat on Thursday (February 20) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan confirmed the matter after the meeting.

'Family cards' were one of the promises in the BNP's 9-point priority-based manifesto, which was given before the election to form a 'humane, inclusive and accountable state'. At that time, the party informed that this program would be launched to protect marginal and low-income families. Under this, the supply of 2,500 taka or equivalent daily necessities will be ensured every month and the amount of assistance will be increased step by step.

Agriculture Minister Amin Ur Rashid said at the meeting that initially cash will be provided through 'family cards'. In getting the cards, extremely poor families and women will get priority.

Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintu said that the cards will be distributed in stages. There is a plan to start the program as a pilot project before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. First, the poorest families will be included, and then the poor families.

The 180-day action plan announced by the BNP government also includes the issue of giving 'family cards' to every family. The government says that the social security system will be further expanded through this program.

Cabinet committee formed

A 15-member 'Cabinet Committee on Family Card Distribution' has already been formed. The Cabinet Division's notification said that the Finance Minister has been made the chairman of the committee.

The committee's responsibilities include—

Preparing a suitable design for implementing the family card
Determining the method for selecting beneficiaries
Initially launching the program in one upazila in each of the eight divisions of the country
Reviewing whether existing programs for women can be used as a basis
Recommendation for creating a digital MIS by linking the national identity card and the national household database
Submitting the initial report by next Tuesday (February 24)
The government's goal is to start distributing the cards on a trial basis before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.

Not a political consideration

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Abu Zafar Md. Zahid Hossain said that this 'family card' will not be issued due to political considerations. There will be no middleman in the distribution of the family card. This card will reach the female members of the family directly. Even if it is issued, the ongoing allowances will continue.

According to the government, through the 'family card' program, a permanent support structure will be established for low-income and vulnerable families by increasing the coverage of social security.