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The government has moved to launch the “family card” programme on a pilot basis across eight Upazilas in as many divisions of the country, fulfilling a key electoral pledge to strengthen social security for low-income households.
A 15-member ministerial committee, headed by New Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, has been formed to oversee the implementation of the initiative.
The Cabinet Division issued a notice regarding the committee’s formation on Thursday.
The high-powered body includes ministers, prime minister’s advisors and state ministers.
The committee is tasked with designing the programme’s framework and establishing the criteria for selecting beneficiaries.
A key part of their mandate is to recommend a digital Management Information System (MIS) by integrating National ID data with the National Household Database.
The panel will also review whether any existing women-centric social programmes can be integrated as the foundation for the family card.
Aiming to begin distribution before the Eid-ul-Fitr, the government has directed the committee to submit an initial report by Feb 24.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs will provide secretarial support to the committee, which has the authority to co-opt new members if necessary.
The “family card” was a centrepiece of the BNP’s election manifesto, which focused on building a “humane, inclusive, and accountable state”.
The card bearer will be entitled to a certain amount of monthly payment, a benefit that will increase with time.