'Family Card' will not cause inflation: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (1 April) said that the 'Family Card' will not cause any inflation in the country; rather, it will make the economy more vibrant.

"We are not printing money to give (the cardholders). So, there is no question of inflation. The funds distributed through these cards will circulate within the local economy, as marginal farmers and women will spend the money domestically rather than transferring it abroad," he added. 

The premier said this while replying to a supplementary question from National Citizen Party (NCP) lawmaker from Rangpur-4, Akhter Hossen, on different cards launched by the government, in the National Parliament with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed in the chair.

Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, said a woman may spend this money on her children's education, family food needs or start a small business. 

As a result, he said, the funds provided by the government will strengthen the local economy, increase the flow of money and help create new employment.

As about 70 to 80 percent of the country's people use locally produced goods, the prime minister said these programmes will further boost domestic industries.

Noting that significant changes may not be visible within the next six months, but within three to five years, the living standards of marginal people will improve significantly, he added.

About the budget for the card programmes, Tarique Rahman said, "We are not specifying the budget right now. We will move forward step by step".

He said the programme will be expanded gradually every month, with more women receiving Family Cards and more male farmers receiving Farmer Cards.

"It is not possible to provide these cards to everyone at once. No country in the world can do that. Therefore, we will increase the budget allocation every year and include it in each budget," the premier said, adding that the programmes will get priority in the national budget.