Family Card launched as part of women's empowerment: PM

The Family Card has been launched as part of women's empowerment, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said. He stated that 15,000 women in Karail, Vasantek and Sat Tola areas have been brought under the Family Card scheme. "I firmly believe my government will be able to take this Family Card to all of the 4 crore families in Bangladesh within the next five years."

He said, "Today's day has been a long-cherished dream of the nationalist party. Within the next five years, this card will be delivered to all women heads of families who need it in the country."

He made these remarks while distributing Family Cards to women from the Karail area at the T&T ground in Mohakhali, capital, around 10:30 am on Tuesday, March 10. Social Welfare Minister Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain presided over the event. Prime Minister's wife Dr Zubaida Rahman was present.

Tarique Rahman said, "We promised during the election that if we could form the government, we would implement the Family Card programme. In continuation of that, within less than a month of forming the government, we have been able to deliver this Family Card to 37,000 women today."

He said, "The promises made to the people will be fulfilled. The promises made will not be altered by even a bit. There may be a slight delay due to the war situation."

The Prime Minister said, "We want to play the role of a responsible government. A government that will work for the people and the country. We want to be accountable to the people."

Tarique Rahman said, "Like the Family Card, we will be able to deliver the Agriculture Card to our farmer brothers next month. We will keep our promises at any cost. Today is a day of great joy and emotion for us."

The Prime Minister also mentioned that according to the election pledge, agricultural loans along with interest up to Tk 10,000 have been waived for farmers last week.

Stating that a representative and accountable government of the people has been established in the country through the election, Tarique Rahman said, "The people have elected this government, so naturally the government is bound to be accountable to the people."