In a brazen display of political opportunism, the BNP-led government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has relaunched a welfare program for the poor, shamelessly rebranding it as their own initiative while undermining the very foundations laid by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. What was once a lifeline for millions of low-income families—providing subsidized essentials through family cards—has been twisted into a tool for exclusion and self-promotion.
This treachery not only erases the legacy of a program that lifted countless households out of desperation but also deprives vulnerable citizens of aid they desperately need, all in the name of “women’s empowerment.” As Bangladesh grapples with economic challenges, this move exposes the BNP’s disregard for the poor, prioritizing partisan vendettas over public welfare.
Origins of the Family Card
The family card scheme traces its roots to 2022, when Sheikh Hasina, as Prime Minister, directed the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) to introduce smart family cards aimed at alleviating the burdens of low-income families amid rising commodity prices. Launched as part of a broader effort to combat inflation and food insecurity, the initiative allowed beneficiaries to purchase essential items at heavily subsidized rates.
From the outset, the program was designed with the poor in mind. In its initial phase starting March 20, 2022, TCB trucks distributed staples like sugar at Tk 55 per kg (up to 2 kg), soybean oil at Tk 110 per liter (up to 2 liters), lentils at Tk 65 per kg (up to 2 kg), and chickpeas at Tk 50 per kg (up to 2 kg). A second phase from April 3 added chickpeas, dates, and onions to the list, extending the reach and variety of support. Sheikh Hasina’s government framed this as a direct intervention for the “betterment of low-income families,” ensuring that aid was accessible and targeted.
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This was no fleeting measure; it built on existing programs like the Food Friendly Program (FFP) and Open Market Sale (OMS), which began nationwide on September 1, 2022. Under FFP, over 50 lakh families received 30 kg of rice monthly at Tk 15 per kg, while OMS provided rice at Tk 30 per kg to TCB cardholders and others via NID cards. The government tripled OMS dealers to 2,363 centers, making aid more widespread and efficient.
Expansion Under Awami League
By January 2023, the program had scaled dramatically. Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi announced the resumption of subsidized sales to one crore low-income families, benefiting an estimated five crore people. Beneficiaries could buy sugar at Tk 60 per kg (1 kg), lentils at Tk 70 per kg (2 kg), and soybean oil at Tk 110 per liter (2 liters) monthly. This expansion came amid global crises like the Russia-Ukraine war and COVID-19, with Sheikh Hasina’s administration allocating Tk 5,000 crore annually in subsidies to keep essentials affordable.
Further enhancements followed. In June 2023, TCB added 5 kg of rice at subsidized rates starting July, alongside oil, lentils, and sugar. During Ramadan, items like black peas and dates were included. The minister emphasized strict monitoring to prevent irregularities, and plans for “smart cards” were announced to streamline distribution and reduce fraud.
By February 2025, TCB had issued one crore family cards under the Awami League, with 57 lakh verified and printed for distribution. An additional 6 lakh were in preparation, all provided free of charge. This massive rollout transformed the scheme into a cornerstone of social safety nets, directly countering poverty and empowering families through reliable access to basics.
Interim Government’s Purge
The program’s integrity was shattered following the July-August 2024 mass uprising, which ended Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, initiated a verification process amid allegations of misuse, such as individuals holding multiple cards via NID duplication. While some issues were legitimate—aiming to eliminate overlaps—the process devolved into a witch hunt.
By November 2024, only 57 lakh cards were updated, while 43 lakh were outright cancelled on flimsy claims of ties to the Awami League. Sheikh Hasina condemned this as a suspension of her 140 social safety schemes, arguing it punished the poor for political reasons. This mass cancellation left millions without aid, exacerbating hardships for those already on the margins. What was meant to refine the system became a tool to erase Sheikh Hasina’s legacy, setting the stage for the BNP’s opportunistic takeover.
Tarique Rahman’s Treachery
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally launched his version of the “Family Card” program on March 10, in Dhaka’s Karail slum and 13 other locations nationwide. Framing it as a new empowerment tool for women-headed households, Rahman promised to cover four crore families within five years, starting with a pilot for 37,567 beneficiaries receiving Tk2,500 monthly via mobile wallets or bank accounts.
Yet, this is no innovation—it’s a blatant replication of Sheikh Hasina’s 2022 scheme, rebranded with a feminist veneer to claim credit. Rahman’s speech boasted of long-term BNP planning and election promises fulfilled within a month of taking power, ignoring the program’s origins under the Awami League. The new criteria exclude families with government pensions, commercial licenses, luxury assets, or even Tk 5 lakh in savings bonds, further narrowing eligibility and potentially barring many who qualified before.
Worse, the pilot’s budget—Tk38.07 crore for four months until June—pales in comparison to the Awami League’s expansive subsidies. Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossen’s vision of transforming it into a “universal social ID card” by 2030 rings hollow, as it builds on infrastructure Sheikh Hasina established.
By cancelling 43 lakh cards and relaunching under a new name, the BNP has betrayed the poor, using welfare as a political weapon. This not only dishonors Hasina’s contributions but also risks leaving millions in poverty, all while Rahman pats himself on the back for “historic” achievements.
The BNP’s actions amount to nothing short of betrayal—hijacking a proven initiative, excluding beneficiaries on partisan grounds, and reaping undeserved praise. As Sheikh Hasina’s original program saved families from hunger, this rebranded farce threatens to undo that progress. Bangladesh’s poor deserve better than political games; they need sustained, impartial support.
It’s time for the government to acknowledge the scheme’s true origins, reinstate cancelled cards, and prioritize people over propaganda. Anything less is a continued treachery against the nation’s most vulnerable.