Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Prof Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain on Saturday said the government will introduce the Family Card programme in every upazila across the country within the next 10 to 12 weeks.
Speaking to reporters after an exchange meeting at the Divisional Social Services Office in Rangpur, he said people will not have to run from office to office to obtain the card, as the government will ensure it reaches eligible households.
"The government is working to fulfil its electoral commitments and improve the welfare of all citizens. We urge people to keep confidence in the government," he said.
The minister said government representatives will visit households to collect information, which will then be uploaded to a central database. A software system will verify the information to ensure transparency and impartiality in selecting beneficiaries.
He said every family will receive a Family Card, while beneficiaries of government welfare programmes will be selected through a Proxy Means Test (PMT)-based scoring system.
Dr Zahid also highlighted the government's efforts to improve education for persons with disabilities, saying around 1,700 educational institutions for children with disabilities have been inspected since he assumed office on February 18.
He said schools that meet or closely comply with government standards will be considered for approval, with the government planning to establish at least one standard institution for students with disabilities in every district and upazila.
The minister noted that students with disabilities, particularly those using sign language, face a shortage of qualified teachers as only one college in the country currently trains teachers for special education.
"The government is working to address this shortage. While it may not be possible to immediately bring all special schools under the programme, we aim to ensure at least one approved institution in every district and upazila," he said.
Earlier in the day, during his visit to Rangpur and Lalmonirhat, the minister inspected Dhap Kellaband Hafizia Madrasa and Lillah Boarding, the Government Children's Home (Girls), the Regional Training Centre and the Divisional Social Services Office.