Mobile financial service Nagad is playing a significant role in the government’s newly launched Family Card programme aimed at economically empowering women heads of families and boosting their confidence.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the Family Card programme at an event held at the Korail slum area on Tuesday morning. Under the pilot phase of the programme, a total of Tk1.62 crores has been disbursed through Nagad to 6,451 families across 13 districts.
The launch of the programme in a densely populated area like Korail has generated considerable enthusiasm among local residents, according to a press release. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the prime minister said that distributing allowances through a direct digital system would prevent any misappropriation of funds and ensure that the benefits reach the genuinely underprivileged.
Nagad authorities have expressed their gratitude to the government, particularly the prime minister, for selecting Nagad, the mobile financial service of Bangladesh Post Office, to distribute funds for such a priority government project.
Muhammad Zahidul Islam, head of Media and Communications at Nagad, said, “We are truly impressed that the government has reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling promises made to the people within less than a month of assuming office. Being a partner in such an important initiative is a matter of pride for the entire Nagad family, and we sincerely thank the Prime Minister for this opportunity.”
Under this election pledge of the government, financially vulnerable families in districts and city corporation areas across the country are receiving Tk2,500 per month as financial assistance. In the initial phase, the programme is being implemented in 15 wards across city corporations, municipalities, and unions in 13 districts, with a significant portion of the funds already distributed through Nagad.
Initially, data of 51,805 extremely poor and lower-middle-income families were collected. Following thorough field-level verification, individuals receiving multiple government benefits as well as government employees and pensioners were excluded from the list.
Under this programme, priority has been given to women-headed households to enhance the economic empowerment of marginalised women. The government’s initiative is expected to serve as a significant milestone in improving the living standards of low-income communities.
