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After the successful completion of the pilot program, the government will officially inaugurate the Family Card program on August 16. The plan is to bring 16 million families across the country under this program in phases over the next four years. The main objective of this initiative will be to deliver benefits to the truly poor by regularly updating information.
Social Welfare Minister A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain informed journalists about this after a cabinet committee meeting on the Family Card, chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, held at the Secretariat on Thursday.
He stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the program on August 16 from Ward No. 8 of Latifabad Union, Kishoreganj Sadar Upazila. Subsequently, its operations will be launched in phases across all upazilas and unions of the country by the end of October.
The Minister informed that positive results have been found in the pilot project conducted in 56 areas of the country. Although some issues in data collection were identified in two areas, Jessore and Netrokona, these have already been rectified. No significant errors were found in the remaining 54 areas, and the overall error rate was less than 3 percent.
He added that from August 16, data collection will commence entirely online using a new questionnaire and modern methods. Subsequently, data will be updated monthly to quickly incorporate information such as deaths, changes in socio-economic status, or any other relevant details into the registry.
To ensure the transparency of the program, a three-tier monitoring system has been put in place. First-class government officials will supervise data collection at the union level. Separate committees will be responsible at the upazila level led by the UNO, at the district level led by the Deputy Commissioner, and at the divisional level led by the Divisional Commissioner. At the national level, a central committee will operate under the leadership of the Finance Minister. Additionally, the Prime Minister will regularly monitor the progress of the program.
The Social Welfare Minister stated that the Family Card will operate under a dynamic social registry system. Information will be regularly updated to align with changes in people’s socio-economic conditions. Consequently, if a family moves out of poverty or falls into financial distress again, it will be reflected in the registry.
He mentioned that data verification will be conducted at the union level to ensure that genuine beneficiaries are not excluded and ineligible individuals are not listed. Ensuring transparency in the distribution of allowances and Family Cards is one of the government’s primary goals.
The Minister further stated that there will be no scope to provide or deny benefits based on religion, ethnic identity, or political ideology. The program is being implemented with the aim of building an inclusive and humane state.
According to him, when assistance funds reach female members of families, they will be utilized more for children’s education, nutrition, and healthcare, as well as for poultry farming, tree planting, cottage industries, sewing, and small entrepreneurial activities. Through this, the Family Card program will play a positive role in reducing rural poverty alongside empowering women.