Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to officially launch the government’s ambitious “Family Card” programme tomorrow, a flagship initiative designed to bolster women’s empowerment, secure their rights, and provide a foundation for economic independence.

The inauguration ceremony will take place at the T&T playground in Banani, adjacent to the Korail slum, at 10 am.

This programme represents a core commitment of the government to advance social justice by formally recognizing women as the heads of households within national social protection frameworks.

Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain, MP, announced the details of the pilot phase during a press conference held at the Ministry of Finance on Monday.

The project is currently being rolled out across 15 wards in 13 city corporations and unions spanning 13 districts.

The selection of beneficiaries was conducted through rigorous door-to-door surveys, with data later verified by union and upazila committees to ensure accuracy.

Utilizing a sophisticated, software-based Proxy Means Test (PMT), authorities categorized households by socio-economic standing, ultimately selecting 37,567 eligible women-headed households after excluding those already receiving other government benefits or pensions.

The “Family Card” itself is a modern, secure tool featuring contactless chip, QR code, and NFC technology, designed to facilitate a transparent and efficient distribution of support.

Eligible families will receive a monthly allowance of Taka 2,500, which will be transferred directly to the beneficiaries' bank accounts or mobile wallets via the Government-to-Person (G2P) digital payment system.

By removing intermediaries, the government aims to minimize corruption and manual interference.

The programme explicitly excludes affluent households, specifically those possessing luxury assets like cars or air conditioners, or those holding significant savings certificates, ensuring that resources reach those in the greatest need.

For the pilot phase, which will run until June 30, 2026, the government has allocated Taka 38.07 crore, with the majority earmarked for direct cash support.

The Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Finance will conduct monthly evaluations to identify potential improvements.

Minister Zahid Hossain emphasized that the cards will be delivered directly to the homes of beneficiaries, who will not be required to visit any government office to collect them.

Furthermore, the initiative includes a dedicated complaint management facility, accessible both online and offline, to ensure accountability.

The Minister urged the public and the media to report any irregularities, reinforcing the government’s dedication to a transparent, leak-proof, and inclusive social welfare architecture.