Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday paid a one-day visit to Moulvibazar, where he launched the Family Card programme and announced a series of social welfare initiatives aimed at improving the lives of low-income families, tea workers and farmers.
Speaking at Victoria High School ground in Sreemangal, he said, “If people remain united, no conspiracy will succeed. No one can destroy Bangladesh’s democracy.”
Earlier in the day, Rahman left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at around 9:30am and landed at Sylhet Osmani International Airport at around 10:15am on a US-Bangla Airlines flight before travelling to Moulvibazar by road.
At Osmani International Airport, he was received by Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and Labour Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury; National Parliament Whip GK Gaus; Sylhet City Corporation Administrator and Sylhet District BNP President Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury; lawmakers Tahsina Rushdir Luna, MA Malik and Emran Ahmed Chowdhury; BNP Joint Organising Secretary Miftah Siddiqui; Sylhet Development Authority Chairman Rezaul Hasan Qayes Lodhi; Sylhet Zila Parishad Chairman Abul Kaher Shamim; Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Sarwar Alam, along with senior government officials and political leaders.
Despite adverse weather conditions, thousands of people, including tea workers, indigenous community members and local residents, gathered at the venue.
Rahman inaugurated the third phase of the Family Card programme on a pilot basis for 155 families in Ward No. 1 of Mirzapur Union under Sreemangal Upazila and symbolically handed over cards to 10 beneficiaries.
Under the initiative, each family will receive Tk 2,500 every month through either mobile financial services or bank accounts.
He announced plans to distribute Family Cards to four million families and Farmer Cards to four million farmers across the country within the next year.
Rahman also said the government plans to upgrade all 50-bed upazila hospitals to 100-bed facilities over the next five years.
Defending the national budget, he said the government had prioritised social welfare, education and the reduction of costs on essential commodities.
He also warned that political instability could hamper social protection programmes and urged people to remain alert against any attempt to create unrest.
The event also included the distribution of Tk 200,000 housing grants to 50 female tea workers, scholarships for 150 students from tea worker families and medical assistance for people with disabilities.
Later, another Family Card distribution programme was held at Moulvibazar Government High School ground for 152 families from Ward No. 7 of Tengra Union under Rajnagar Upazila.
At the end of the programme, Rahman planted a sapling at the Victoria High School premises and concluded his speech with the slogan.
Korbo Kaj, Gorbo Desh, Sobar Age Bangladesh, Sobar Jonno Bangladesh.
