United News of Bangladesh

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chiwdhury on Monday directed officials to ensure that the Family Card programme is implemented in a transparent manner free from any political influence, so that benefits reach the intended recipients. The directive came during the fourth meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Family Card Distribution held at the conference room of the Ministry of Finance. The meeting reviewed and approved the administrative expenditure required for implementing the Family Card programme and finalised the revised 2026 guidelines for piloting the initiative. The committee also reviewed and gave policy approval to the draft Family Card Implementation Policy, 2026, which is expected to provide a structured framework for identifying eligible beneficiaries and distributing support under the programme. Officials said the policy and guidelines are aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and efficiency in the implementation process while preventing irregularities and political interference in beneficiary selection. The Family Card programme is being introduced as part of the government’s broader social protection efforts to support low-income and vulnerable households across the country. Speaking at the meeting, the Finance Minister stressed the importance of establishing a fair and credible beneficiary selection process so that the programme serves those who are genuinely in need. Among others, Social Welfare Minister Prof Dr A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, and State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam attended the meeting.