Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has formally inaugurated the ‘Family Card’ program for low-income people. He launched the program at a program organized at Banani T&T playground, adjacent to the Korail slum, in the capital on Tuesday morning.
In her inaugural address, the Prime Minister said that the government has taken this initiative to strengthen social security of low-income people. She said that if direct payment is ensured through digital means, the opportunities for middlemen will be reduced and only the real beneficiaries will receive assistance.
According to the government plan, poor families in designated districts and city corporation areas will be provided financial assistance of Tk 2,500 per month. Beneficiaries can receive this money directly through mobile financial services or bank accounts.
It was announced at the event that the first installment of the program had been deposited into the bank accounts or mobile wallets of 37,567 registered women immediately after the program was launched.
In the initial phase, this program is being implemented as a pilot project in 15 wards of various city corporation areas of 13 districts and some unions. Separate committees have also been formed at the district, upazila and ward levels in coordination with the local administration.
Authorities say that based on the experience of this project, there are plans to expand the social protection program on a larger scale in the future.