Family card scheme will not be politicised: Zonayed Saki

State Minister for Planning Zonayed Saki has said there is no room for corruption regarding the distribution of family card scheme and it will not be politicised in any way.

He said this as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the family card distribution held at the Jagannathpur Auditorium in Bancharampur upazila of Brahmanbaria today (10 March).

As part of a pilot programme, family cards were initially distributed to 86 female heads of households in Bancharampur municipality.

Officials said the cards were given to female heads of poor, ultra-poor, and vulnerable lower-middle-class families, each receiving Tk2,500, with more women to be gradually included.

Zonayed Saki said the money under the family card scheme has already been transferred to the accounts of the female heads.

“There is no scope for corruption here. There are several criteria, and based on those the selection is being done both locally and centrally. It will not be politicised in any way. The government has started implementing its commitment,” he said.

He added that the government prioritises the most marginalised and financially vulnerable people.

“From the next budget, the family card will gradually be opened to everyone. So be assured that it is not being given only to a few selected individuals. This benefit will gradually reach everyone,” he said.

Saki also said, “A political party is trying to distort the statement of an adviser to tarnish the entire election. This is political bankruptcy and the politics of the old arrangement. We are indebted to the blood of the martyrs of Bangladesh. Politics in the future must be based on serving the interests of the people. The people will support that politics.”