Family Card funds will go directly to bank accounts, leaving no scope for irregularities: Finance minister

Funds under the government’s Family Card programme will be transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts, ensuring transparency and eliminating the scope for intermediaries or irregularities, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said today (10 March). 

“Family Card funds will go directly to bank accounts, leaving no scope for irregularities,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a Family Card distribution ceremony held at the field of Patenga Airport High School in Chattogram. 

“This Family Card has been introduced to strengthen social protection programmes for low- and middle-income families in the country. Through this card, funds will be transferred directly to bank accounts, eliminating the scope for intermediaries or irregularities,” he added. 

Under the programme, Family Cards were initially distributed among 5,575 families listed in Ward No 41 of the city. Through the card, beneficiaries will receive Tk2,500 per instalment directly in their bank accounts.

The area falls within the minister’s constituency, Chattogram-11 parliamentary constituency.

At the programme’s inauguration, the finance minister said that with strong political commitment and proper economic planning, it is possible to implement major social initiatives even with limited resources.

“Although women play a crucial role in managing families, their labour often goes unnoticed. Through the Family Card, that contribution will be recognised and their financial empowerment ensured. When funds reach women directly, it will positively support household management, savings, and small income-generating activities,” the finance minister said. 

“There are plans to develop the Family Card into a multi-purpose digital platform in the future. Through this single card, various government assistance programmes and social services will be delivered,” he added. 

The programme, which has begun in Ward 41 of Chattogram, will gradually be expanded across the country.

The event was chaired by Shahadat Hossain, mayor of the Chattogram City Corporation.

Special guests included Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, state minister for the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, and Abu Sufian, member of parliament for Chattogram-9 parliamentary constituency.

In his remarks, Helal said various groups had spread confusion about the Family Card programme ahead of the election, but it has now proven to be a practical and beneficial initiative.

“Before the election, various quarters spread different kinds of confusion about the Family Card programme. But over time, it has been proven that the government’s initiative is a practical and effective step for the welfare of the people,” he said, adding that the programme goes beyond financial assistance and aims to increase women’s participation in economic activities.

According to the city corporation, financial assistance under the programme will be transferred digitally to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

The cards have been developed using smart card technology and may later serve as a database for various government services and social safety net programmes.

Officials at the event also highlighted other government initiatives aimed at strengthening the rural economy, including the introduction of the Farmer Card programme for farmers, restructuring of agricultural loans and measures to boost agricultural production.