Govt to check how Family Card allowance is spent: Finance minister
The finance minister said efforts are being made to ensure that only genuine beneficiaries receive the Family Card, adding that political involvement was avoided in the selection process for this reason.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said an impact assessment will be carried out to examine how beneficiaries of the Family Card are using the allowance and whether it is improving their quality of life.
He said the assessment will review whether recipients are making progress in health and education after receiving financial support, noting that a significant portion of public revenue will be spent on the programme annually.
The remarks were made today (15 June) after the fourth meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Family Card Distribution held at the Secretariat, where the finance minister serves as chair.
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The finance minister said efforts are being made to ensure that only genuine beneficiaries receive the Family Card, adding that political involvement was avoided in the selection process for this reason.
He also urged authorities to pay special attention to small ethnic communities in the distribution process.
Officials present at the meeting included Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain, Social Welfare State Minister Farjana Sharmin, Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, Finance Secretary Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Social Welfare Secretary Mohammad Abu Yusuf and Planning Secretary SM Shakil Akhter.
Social Welfare Minister Zahid said Family Cards will be issued to 4.10 crore families over four years, with 41 lakh families set to receive the card in the next fiscal year.
He added that beneficiary identification has been made National Identity Card (NID)-based from the outset, and individuals receiving support under other social safety net programmes will not be eligible.
He said cross-checking mechanisms have been put in place to detect duplication.
Local Government State Minister Shahe Alam said district and upazila administrations will be involved in selecting beneficiaries to ensure neutrality in the process.
He added that the decision aims to prevent political influence at the local level in beneficiary selection.
Officials also said beneficiaries under the Family Card programme will be reassessed every four years.
Those whose living standards improve will be removed from the list, while new eligible families will be included in the programme.
