CHT Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan spoke as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the Family Card distribution programme at Lama Upazila Parishad auditorium. Photo: BSS

BANDARBAN, Mar 10, 2026 (BSS) - Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan today said the government has started distribution of ‘Family Card’ to strengthen women’s empowerment, ensuring their rights, dignity and economic independence.

“The initiative has been taken by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to support underprivileged citizens across the country and warned that corruption will not be tolerated in this regard,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the Family Card distribution programme at Lama Upazila Parishad auditorium here. 

The programme was organised by the upazila administration and the local social services office.

The minister issued a strong warning that strict monitoring is in place to prevent any corruption in the distribution of Family Card or other government services.

He said the government will continue working with a zero-tolerance policy against corruption to ensure that the real beneficiaries receive their rightful support.

Referring to women’s development, Dewan said the “Mother of Democracy” and BNP’s former Chairperson Khaleda Zia had carried out extensive work for the advancement of women in the country.

He also stressed that the government believe in communal harmony, regardless of religion or ethnicity and aims to advance people’s welfare on the basis of equality.

Highlighting the programme’s theme—“Family, not the individual, is the basic unit of development”—the minister said the Family Card initiative has been launched to ensure food security for marginalized and extremely poor communities in Lama upazila.

According to him, the government has already started distributing Family Cards among 37,000 women in 14 upazilas across the country within a short time. 

Under the project, 1,097 women from families in ward no 2 of Fasiakhali Union under Lama upazila received Family Card. Each registered family will receive Tk 2,500 in financial assistance.

The minister expressed heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the prime minister on behalf of the people of the CHT for undertaking the initiative.

Deputy Commissioner of Bandarban Shamima Ara Rini chaired the event where local MP Sachingpru Jerry, Superintendent of Police Md Abdur Rahman, Deputy Director of the District Social Services Office Milton Muhuri and Lama Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Moin Uddin were present as special guests.

Senior officials of the administration, local representatives and political leaders also attended the 
programme.