Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury -File photo

SYLHET, May 16, 2026 (BSS)- People should not remain dependent solely on allowances provided through Family Card and other social welfare cards, rather they must improve their living standard by engaging in income-generating activities such as farming, poultry raising, duck farming, and cattle rearing.
 
“Everyone should transform their own hands into working hands and participate in productive activities,” Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury told the second-phase Family Card distribution ceremony at Jaintiapur Upazila in the district.

Deputy Commissioner Sarwar Alam chaired the event as Family Cards were distributed among 465 women from Ward No. 7 of Nijpat Union in the upazila. 

The programme was also connected online with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Family Card distribution event in Chandpur.

The minister highlighted several government social safety net initiatives, including Farmer Card, waiver of agricultural loans up to Taka 10,000 with interest, educational stipends for school students, and free school uniforms for students.
 
Ariful, also minister for expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment, expressed optimism that a “Probashi Card” (Expatriate Card) with various facilities for overseas Bangladeshis would begin distribution within the next two months.

Earlier, the minister inaugurated a flood shelter construction project at Towakul College in Gowainghat Upazila. On that occasion, he promised improvements to the college field and construction of a boundary wall.

He also assured establishment of a vocational training institute in Gowainghat to develop skilled manpower. 

The institute has been planned to provide career-oriented education along with language training in Japanese, Korean, Arabic, and English, the minister said.

Later, Ariful inaugurated dredging and re-excavation work from the Isti Bridge at Piyain Natarkhal to Sakerpok Canal in the same upazila.