Panchagarh: State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad announced that under a pilot project, 2,000 farmers in the Panchpir area of Panchagarh will be issued agricultural cards on April 14. The initiative will be inaugurated virtually by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, although Azad mentioned that he is unaware of the specific recipients of the cards.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Ministry of Agriculture, along with the UNO, has finalized the list of beneficiaries categorized by eligibility through a three-tier verification process. The state minister made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the 47th Science Fair and a relief distribution program for families affected by storms at Boda Pilot High School in Panchagarh.
Minister Azad emphasized that the distribution of agricultural cards will not be influenced by political considerations, religion, or caste; only eligible individuals will receive the cards. Additionally, family cards are set to be distributed to the women heads of four crore families across Bangladesh. This family card program has already commenced, with plans to launch five million family cards nationwide within the next two to two and a half months.
Highlighting the importance of unity in combating societal issues, the state minister called on all citizens, irrespective of their opinions, religions, or backgrounds, to unite in protecting the youth, families, and children of Bangladesh from the dangers of drugs.
He further noted that the impact of recent nor’wester storms and hailstorms was indiscriminate, affecting people regardless of their political or religious affiliations. Thus, relief assistance from the Prime Minister will be distributed to all truly affected individuals, irrespective of their identity.
In addition to these announcements, the State Minister distributed sports equipment to various educational institutions. Officials reported that 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.