The government has formed a 15-member cabinet committee to oversee the introduction of a Family Card programme aimed at supporting marginalised and low-income families.
A gazette notification issued on Saturday by the Cabinet Division said the committee will be chaired by the finance minister. The panel brings together senior ministers, advisers and top officials from key ministries and divisions.
Members include the ministers for women and children affairs and social welfare, advisers Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Mahdi Amin and Rehan Asif Asad, the cabinet secretary, and secretaries from the women and children affairs ministry, social welfare ministry, finance division, ICT division, local government division, planning ministry and the Election Commission Secretariat. The notification noted that the term “secretary” also covers senior secretaries.
According to the gazette, the committee will design the overall framework for implementing the Family Card scheme and set criteria for selecting beneficiaries. As a pilot step, the programme will be launched in one upazila in each of the country’s eight divisions.
The committee has also been asked to examine whether existing women-focused programmes can be used as a foundation for the initiative. It will recommend the creation of a digital management information system by linking National ID data with the National Household Database to prepare an accurate beneficiary list.
The panel is expected to submit an initial report by February 24, 2026, with the goal of distributing Family Cards ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.
The notification said the committee will meet as needed, with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs providing secretarial support. The committee may also include additional members if required. The order takes effect immediately.
-20260220065859.jpeg)
-20260219110716.webp)
-20260219054530.webp)
