Universal Family Card to be issued within four years: Minister

The 'Universal Family Card' will be issued within the next four years, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain has said. He made the remark during a meeting with a three-member delegation led by Jean Pesme, World Bank's Regional Director for Bangladesh, at his secretariat office on Sunday, March 29.

Dr Zahid Hossain said the Universal Family Card will be issued within the next four years. The card will be in the name of the woman head of each household, serving as a respectable recognition as a citizen.

Outlining the implementation of the 'Family Card', one of the government's key election pledges, the minister said that so far, 37,567 Family Cards have been issued in the names of women heads of households, who are receiving Tk 2,500 per month in financial assistance.

Social Welfare State Minister Farzana Sharmin was also present at the courtesy meeting. Jean Pesme congratulated the minister and state minister on behalf of the World Bank and described the initiative to issue Family Cards in the names of women heads of households as a positive step towards strengthening social protection.

The World Bank regional director also expressed interest in working jointly with the ministries to establish social security and good governance, pledging cooperation in implementing the Family Card programme. Both sides agreed to work together for the sustainable implementation of the Family Card, one of the current government's key election pledges.

Social Welfare Secretary Dr Mohammad Abu Yousuf, Additional Secretary Nargis Khanam and Joint Secretary Mohammad Nazmul Ahsan were among those present at the meeting.