State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad spoke as the chief guest at the ceremony of the 47th Science Fair and a relief distribution programme in Panchagarh today. Photo: BSS

PANCHAGARH, April 11, 2026 (BSS)- State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad said under a pilot project 2000 farmers in the Panchpir area of Panchagarh will be provided with agricultural cards on April 14. 

He said the programme will be inaugurated virtually by the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. However, he himself does not know who will receive the cards. 

The Ministry of Agriculture and the UNO have finalized the names of the beneficiaries in eligibility categories through three-tier verification.

The state minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at the ceremony of the 47th Science Fair and a relief distribution programmes for families affected by storms at Boda Pilot High School in Panchagarh here today.

The state minister said that no political considerations, religion, or caste will be taken into account in distributing the agricultural cards. Only eligible individuals will receive the card. 

Family cards will be provided to the women heads of four crore families across Bangladesh. The family card programme has already been inaugurated and five million family cards will be launched nationwide within the next two to two and a half months.

To protect the youth, families, children, and the future of Bangladesh from the menace of drugs, he urged all irrespective of opinions, religions, and backgrounds to unite.

He further said that recent nor’wester storms and hailstorms did not hit the people of any particular political party or religion, but all people of the area. 

Similarly, in distribution of relief assistance on behalf of the Prime Minister will go to every truly affected person irrespective of their political, religious or social identity. 

The State Minister also distributed sports equipment to various educational institutions. 

Officials said 100 storm-affected families received Taka 2,000 each in cash and a packet of dry food, 130 families were given one bundle of corrugated sheets and Taka 3,000 each, and 430 individuals received 15 kg of rice each.