Thakurgaon: Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, MP, today highlighted the family card as a pivotal source of strength and empowerment for women in the country. “With this card you (women) will be able to stand anywhere with confidence. Through this card, a form of empowerment will be created for you. Men will start giving you importance,” Fakhrul stated while speaking as the chief guest at a family card distribution programme held at the Combined UI Aleem Madrasa premises in Rahimanpur union under Thakurgaon Sadar upazila.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Fakhrul, who is also the Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for launching the family card initiative, emphasizing its importance in empowering women. He recalled the government’s pre-election promise to introduce such a card and expressed satisfaction in fulfilling that promise, noting that the initiative commenced just 22 days after assuming office.
Fakhrul assured that the family card distribution is at its initial stage and will soon reach every household nationwide. Additionally, he announced agricultural loans worth Tk 10,000 have been waived, and canal excavation work is set to commence on the 16th of this month, with plans to preserve rainwater for use during drought periods.
The minister elaborated on future initiatives, including the provision of agriculture cards to farmers for purchasing essential resources at fair prices. He also criticized the lack of proper rule of law over the past 15 years, highlighting a change where cards are now accessible without monetary exchange.
Fakhrul, who declared the recent election as his last, expressed his commitment to working for the people, including plans to start medical college admissions in the district by 2027 and initiate work on a university and an airport. He also emphasized freelancing training to enhance employment opportunities and initiatives to protect the younger generation from drugs.
Prominent attendees at the event included Thakurgaon-2 constituency lawmaker Dr Abdus Salam, Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam, Deputy Commissioner Ishrat Farzana, Superintendent of Police Belal Hossain, and other local leaders who also addressed the gathering.