DHAKA, March 2 (V7N) –  Prime Minister’s Adviser on Ministry of Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has said that no political considerations are being used in selecting beneficiaries for social safety net programmes, including Family Card and Farmer Card.  

“Through rigorous data verification, only actual deserving and eligible individuals are being brought under these benefits,” he said while speaking at a talk-show on a private television channel Thursday night.  

Titumir explained that beneficiary selection is now based on Proxy Means Test (PMT) scores, ensuring transparency and preventing both exclusion of the needy and inclusion of unqualified individuals. He reiterated that political influence is not allowed in the process.  

Highlighting reforms, he noted that past research indicated 35% to 50% wastage in the sector. “The present government is prioritizing reduction of this wastage through digitalization and coordination of databases rather than cutting down benefits,” he added.  

The Adviser said the government’s first cabinet meeting decided to waive agricultural loans up to Taka 10,000, providing relief to farmers and livestock rearers. The Farmer Card will be launched experimentally on Pohela Boishakh, initially offering limited services with plans to expand to 10. These chip-based cards will be linked to the banking system to integrate farmers into the formal financial sector.  

He added that Family Card has been introduced to support low-income families, while honorariums are being initiated for Imams, Muazzins, priests, and other religious leaders.  

Titumir revealed that the government is working towards a “One Citizen, One Card, One Digital Portfolio” concept, integrating NID, birth registrations, and other data to simplify citizen services.  

On funding, he said there are no plans to increase taxes, with resources to be generated by reducing waste, fraud, and irregularities, alongside low-interest loans from international agencies.  

Addressing the energy situation, he acknowledged inherited crises from long-term mismanagement but assured that no steps—such as diesel price hikes—would be taken that could trigger inflation or harm agriculture. He dismissed rumors of fuel shortages as misinformation, warning of strict action against hoarding or artificial crises.  

Concluding, Titumir said the government’s ultimate goal is the “democratization of the economy,” ensuring transparency, efficiency, and participation for all citizens.  

END/AJ/RH