Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has stated that the introduction of "Farmer Cards" and "Family Cards" will not lead to inflation. Instead, he emphasized that these initiatives will stimulate and strengthen the local economy.
The Prime Minister made these remarks on Wednesday (April 1) during a parliamentary session, responding to a supplementary question from Member of Parliament Aktar Hossain (Rangpur-4). The session was presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikrom.
Strategic Expansion
Addressing concerns regarding the budget and the scope of the program, the Prime Minister explained that the distribution of cards would be carried out in phases.
"We will expand this every month," he said. "A growing number of women will receive Family Cards and men will receive Farmer Cards. It is not possible for any country in the world to cover everyone at once. Therefore, we will increase the budget allocation for this program year by year."
No Threat of Inflation
Responding specifically to the query about rising prices, the Prime Minister clarified the fiscal nature of the initiative.
"We are not printing new money to fund this, so there is no question of inflation. On the contrary, when this money enters the market, marginal farmers and women will spend it within the country. They won't launder this money abroad; they will spend it in the local economy."
Strengthening the Local Economy
The Prime Minister highlighted the "multiplier effect" he expects these cards to have on rural communities:
Empowerment: Women can use the funds for their children's education, family nutrition, or starting small businesses.
Local Growth: Spending at local grocery stores increases the income of small traders, potentially leading to new jobs and a more dynamic local market.
Industrial Support: As 70% to 80% of the population uses locally manufactured goods, this increased purchasing power will bolster domestic industries.
In his closing remarks, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman acknowledged that while major changes might not be visible in the next six months, the standard of living for marginalized communities will see significant improvement within three to five years as the local economy becomes more robust.
