‘Family Card’ distribution to begin in Ramadan on pilot basis: Info minister

The government is set to begin distributing “Family Card” during Ramadan, ahead of Eid, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said today.

The programme will be launched initially on a pilot basis and later expanded nationwide, he added.

The decision was taken at a meeting held at the Secretariat this morning, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the minister said.

The “Family Card” programme was one of the ruling party’s key election pledges.

Zahir said a committee would be formed under the leadership of the finance minister to oversee implementation. All families would gradually be brought under the programme.

On the same issue, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu said the election manifesto clearly mentioned the initiative and discussions were held on ways to implement it effectively.

When asked how many families would receive the card, the minister said the programme would be universal with no restrictions.

However, distribution may begin with the extremely poor, followed by the poor and then the middle class in phases, once the committee finalises the framework, Mintu added.