Women, Children and Social Welfare Minister Dr. Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain today exchanged views with government officials at the Deputy Commissioner’s Hall Room in Dinajpur. Photo: BSS

DINAJPUR, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS) - Women, Children and Social Welfare Minister Dr. Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain today said the government has taken a policy decision to waive agricultural loans up to TK 10,000 for marginal farmers across the country, amounting to a total of TK  14,500 crore.

He said as of February 25, the process of enlisting marginal and grassroots-level farmers across the country for the waiver of agricultural loans up to TK 10,000, including interest, is underway. 

The minister made these remarks while briefing journalists after exchanging views with government officials at the Deputy Commissioner’s Hall Room here.

Under the first phase of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s announced 31-point programme, the distribution of Family Cards among floating and poor families will be formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister on March 10. 

He said out of the country’s 180 million people, mothers of approximately 45 million families will gradually be brought under the Family Card programme.

He said that following the governance legacy of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and recently deceased Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman is continuing efforts to move the country forward by ensuring visible development in all sectors for the people.

He said within the next six months, visible progress will be seen in the development of Dinajpur district, which has lagged behind in areas such as communication, agriculture, education, and healthcare. 

Dr. Zahid Hossain said some people are trying to mislead the public by spreading fake news about the Family Card programme, and such misinformation must be resisted. 

Efforts should be made to reduce such rumours and reassure people that the Family Card is a priority project of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and that everyone will gradually come under its coverage, he said.

Dinajpur Deputy Commissioner Md. Rafiqul Islam chaired the programme while Members of Parliament Md. Akhtaruzzaman Mia (Dinajpur-4), Syed Jahangir Alam (Sadar-3), AZM Rezwanul Haque (Dinajpur-5), and Md. Manjurul Islam (Dinajpur-1) were also present.

Superintendent of Police Md. Zedan Al Musa, Civil Surgeon Dr. Asif Ferdous, Additional Deputy Commissioner and Administrator of Dinajpur Municipality Md. Riaz Uddin, Executive Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department Md. 

Asaduzzaman, Executive Engineer of LGED Md. Masudur Rahman, Dinajpur District BNP President Advocate Md. Mofazzal Hossain Dulal, General Secretary Bakhtiar Ahmed Kochi, and President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries Md. Abu Bakkar Siddiq, among others, were also present.