In a major step toward fulfilling a core electoral pledge, the government will launch the "Family Card" pilot project on March 10.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to inaugurate the program across 14 selected upazilas, providing monthly financial assistance of BDT 2,500 to marginal families.

Social Welfare Minister Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain announced the decision at the Secretariat on Tuesday, following a high-level Cabinet Committee meeting chaired by the Prime Minister.

The Minister noted that the formal launch is timed to provide relief to families ahead of the Holy Eid-ul-Fitr.

The program specifically targets women’s empowerment, as the financial benefit will be distributed directly to the mother or female head of each household.

"This will enhance women’s financial independence and positively impact the entire family and future generations," Dr. Zahid stated.

To ensure transparency and eliminate political bias, the government has established a rigorous selection process.

Unlike previous programs, lists will not be prepared through intermediary offices; instead, government officials will conduct door-to-door visits to collect data.

The process will be supervised by committees led by Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs), with first-class gazetted officers assigned to each ward to oversee a two-tier verification system.

The Minister emphasized that the process would exclude party activists and intelligence agencies to prevent discrimination.

The pilot phase is expected to be completed within four months, with plans to expand the scheme nationwide.

Funding for the initial phase has been secured through the Finance Ministry’s block allocation, with the program set to be permanently integrated into the national budget starting next fiscal year.