Tk 246 Crore Spent to Produce 4.1 Million Cards

The government is expected to spend around Tk 246 crore to produce Family Cards for 4.1 million households under the first phase of the programme, with each card costing an estimated Tk 600.

However, the government has not yet decided who will bear the cost. The Finance Division is considering whether the expense will come from public funds or be covered through another arrangement.

The card-production cost is in addition to expenses related to bank account management, fund transfers and mobile financial services. This means the total cost of running the digital distribution system could be considerably higher.

Under the programme, each of the 4.1 million families will receive Tk 2,500 per month during the 2026-27 fiscal year. Around Tk 14,500 crore has been allocated for the initiative in the current budget.

The issue was discussed at a meeting at the Secretariat on Tuesday, attended by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and officials from the Finance Division, Social Welfare Ministry, Bangladesh Bank, state-owned banks and mobile financial service providers. No decision was reached on the card-production cost.

The government plans to distribute the assistance digitally through the TakaPay system. Accounts will reportedly be managed through Sonali Bank, Janata Bank and Bangladesh Krishi Bank, while beneficiaries will also be able to withdraw funds through bKash, Nagad and Rocket.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru said budget constraints would not stand in the way of the programme and that sufficient funds would be provided.

The government aims to bring around 16 million families under the Family Card programme within four years. At Tk 600 per card, producing 16 million cards would cost approximately Tk 960 crore.