Family Card Distribution in Chattogram

The Chattogram district administration is preparing to launch the initial phase of the "Family Card" distribution program in the Patenga area. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah shared this update during a briefing at his office on Wednesday afternoon.

Highlighting the government’s focus on women’s empowerment, the DC noted that the family card program is a major nationwide initiative. Following instructions from the Cabinet Division on December 24, the program will initially roll out in 14 wards across various districts, including one ward in Chittagong's Patenga.

While the specific ward in Patenga has yet to be finalized, Assistant Commissioner Md. Moinul Hasan confirmed that field-level data, including population statistics for Ward 40 (North Patenga) and Ward 41 (South Patenga), is currently being evaluated.

DC Zahidul stated that the national goal is to eventually cover 40 million families, with the first phase prioritizing 5 million extremely poor households. He emphasized that strict instructions have been issued to ensure the list is accurate and transparent. "The administration is determined to prevent the inclusion of false information. Our goal is to ensure genuine claimants, especially helpless women, are not deprived," he said.

The DC further assured that the list would be prepared based on merit and need, strictly avoiding any political party influence to maintain public trust.

This follows a high-level committee meeting held at the Secretariat on Tuesday. Officials confirmed that the program is scheduled for a preliminary launch in 14 upazilas on March 10, fulfilling a key social safety net commitment.