For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday announced that all women across the country will be brought under a universal 'Family Card' scheme if the party forms the next government, aiming to make four crore families economically self-reliant.
Speaking at a views-exchange event with retired army personnel at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, Tarique said the facility would be open to every woman — “from a woman of a poor household to the wife of a prime minister, only those who feel they need this support will opt in,” he said, UNB reports.
Tarique Rahman said the BNP has already prepared a comprehensive action plan for its future government, with the Family Card scheme being one of the key components. "In the first phase, 5 million women will receive the card."
Under the programme, each enlisted woman would receive a monthly allowance of Tk 2,000–2,500, along with essential commodities for her household, Tarique said, adding,“Once a woman becomes self-reliant, she may voluntarily opt out of the scheme."
To ensure transparency, he said, the scheme is designed to eliminate corruption by making it universally accessible.
Tarique Rahman compared the model to child protection services in the United Kingdom, saying even the wife of a prime minister would have the right to avail of the service, if needed.
“Some may question where the money will come from or assume it’s a lavish project. But we have already calculated the budget and identified how each component will be implemented,” he said.
Tarique also said the BNP has developed a dedicated digital app for farmers, through which they will receive real-time guidance — from fertiliser use to weather updates.
“We will also introduce an Agriculture Card to ensure farmers become fully self-reliant,” the BNP leader added.
Highlighting the party’s education reforms, he said 3.5 lakh primary school teachers will be provided training, and the entire education system will be modernised with a special emphasis on technical education.
About the retired military officers, Tarique said, “Not everyone must enter politics. Those who are fit for politics should join, but the country comes before the party. We want to utilise the experience of those who can contribute to nation-building.”
He criticised the previous authoritarian government for “breaking down the country’s entire system,” including the military and bureaucracy.
“These systems must now be repaired — and you will have to play a key role,” he told his audience.
Calling for restoration of democracy at any cost, Tarique said, “Where there is democracy, there is accountability. The former government intentionally destroyed the system to avoid accountability.”
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who chaired the event, urged all to remain united and work together for the country’s future.