New Government Launches ‘Family Card’ Pilot Program for Ramadan
The decision was finalized following an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat on Thursday, February 19, 2026, attended by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo briefed the press after the session, confirming that the pilot project is aimed at delivering immediate relief before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. While the program is ultimately designed to be universal, the rollout will follow a phased approach, starting with the ultra-poor before expanding to low-income and middle-class families.
The program serves as a cornerstone of the government’s social safety net reforms:
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Monthly Allowance: Each cardholder is entitled to financial assistance of Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,500 per month or a corresponding package of essential food items.
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Women’s Empowerment: To ensure better household management, the cards will be primarily issued in the name of the female head of each family.
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Scale of Impact: While starting as a pilot project, the government aims to eventually bring nearly 40 million households under this scheme.
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Implementation Oversight: A specialized committee led by the Finance Minister has been tasked with submitting a final operational report within the next three days to ensure a smooth nationwide launch.
Social Welfare Minister Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain noted that this card offers more than double the benefits of previous social safety net programs and will utilize modern information technology to ensure transparent and direct delivery of support to the beneficiaries.
