Family Card distribution begins March 10 in 14 upazilas under pilot project |Bulletin|24th Feb, 2026

Описание: 1. ‘Family Card’ Pilot Launch: Monthly Taka 2,500 for Women
In a major move toward social safety, PM Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the Family Card distribution on March 10.

The Pilot: It starts in 14 upazilas across all divisions. In each chosen upazila, one specific ward will receive cards on a universal basis.

Financial Aid: Selected families will receive Taka 2,500 per month.

Women's Empowerment: Crucially, the benefit will be issued to the mother or female head of the household to bolster women’s financial independence.

Future Expansion: The pilot will run for four months before a nationwide rollout in the next fiscal year.

2. Ekushey Padak 2026 Ceremony This Thursday
The Prime Minister is set to confer the Ekushey Padak 2026 on February 26 at 11:00 AM.

Recipients: 9 eminent citizens and the legendary rock band Warfaze will be honored.

Notable Names: Iconic actress Babita (Film), the late Ayub Bachchu (Music - Posthumous), Shafik Rehman (Journalism), and Marina Tabassum (Architecture) are among the prestigious list of awardees.

3. Diplomatic Dialogue: Chinese Envoy Meets Mirza Fakhrul
Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen met with LGRD Minister (and BNP Secretary General) Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Focus: Trade, waste-to-energy projects, and the Amin Bazar Water Treatment Plant.

The Teesta Factor: The Minister noted China’s interest in the Teesta River project, though a formal government policy decision is still pending.

4. 1,202 More Politically Motivated Cases Withdrawn
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced the withdrawal of 1,202 cases today, adding to the 1,006 previously cleared.

Total Progress: To date, 2,208 cases filed during the 17-year Awami League tenure have been scrapped.

Objective: The Minister stated this is a "thorough review" aimed at ending the harassment of opposition figures and restoring faith in the legal system.

5. Foreign Minister Moves to Revitalize SAARC
Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman met with SAARC Secretary General Md. Golam Sarwar to discuss waking the regional body from its long dormancy.

Priority: Reviving the SAARC Summit is a top priority on the government’s agenda.

Bangladesh’s Role: The government intends to take a "leading role" in South Asian regional cooperation.

6. New Gazette Defines Roles for Government Advisers
A formal gazette was published today by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, assigning portfolios to several high-level advisers:

Political Advisers: Mirza Abbas, Nazrul Islam Khan, and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Portfolios: Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir takes Finance and Planning, while Mahdi Amin will oversee Education and Expatriate Welfare. Rehan Asif Asad will handle ICT and Science.

7. Land Ministry Targets Corruption and Efficiency
Land Minister Md Mizanur Rahman Minu visited the "Citizen Care Center" and issued a stern warning against bribery.

Service Goal: He wants to increase daily service capacity from 300 to 2,000 people.

Accountability: The Minister promised "visible improvements" in the land sector within six months, backed by a zero-tolerance policy on corruption.

8. Vision for Food Security and "Global Standards"
Food Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid outlined a roadmap to make Bangladesh’s food management a global model.

Safety First: He emphasized removing heavy metals from domestic crops.

FDA Standard: The goal is to modernize the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority to match U.S. FDA standards, allowing Bangladeshi food products to enter global markets.

9. New 10% US Tariffs Officially Take Effect
Despite a Supreme Court setback, President Donald Trump’s new 10% global tariffs began today (Tuesday).

Economic Impact: Experts estimate this will affect $1.2 trillion in annual imports, potentially costing the average U.S. household an extra $700 in 2026.

Justification: The White House cites the balance-of-payments deficit, and Trump has threatened to raise the rate to 15% for countries that "play games."