Poverty Database Project: Expenses increase by Tk1,794 crore

To implement the government's Family Card initiative, the ongoing 'Strengthening Social Protection for Improved Resilience, Inclusion and Targeting' project has been revised. The update integrates a new component to create a poverty registry by identifying low-income households through a field survey. Originally approved at Tk 904.17 crore, the first project revision increases the budget by Tk1,794 crore, bringing the total estimated cost to Tk2,699.15 crore. The revised funding includes Tk1,514.11 crore from government funds and Tk1,185 crore from World Bank loan financing. The original implementation timeline, spanning from July 2025 to June 2030, remains unchanged. The Department of Social Services, under the Ministry of Social Welfare, will execute the project.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has approved the proposal, which is being presented for information today, Wednesday, at the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting. Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman will preside over the meeting at the Cabinet Conference Room in the Secretariat.

Planning Secretary S. M. Shakil Akhtar informed Agamir Somoy that the Finance and Planning Minister approved the first revision within his authority. However, standard procedure requires informing ECNEC, which is why it is being presented today.

Key project expenditures include Tk 821.90 crore for data collectors, Tk 550 crore for Family Smart Card production equipment, Tk188.84 crore for 18 consulting firms, and Tk 40.40 crore for individual consultants. Additional allocations cover Tk80 crore for local training, Tk 10 crore for travel expenses, Tk50 crore for festival allowances, Tk12 crore for data storage, and Tk 12 crore for printing and binding.

According to Ministry of Social Welfare sources, the primary goal of the project is to establish a Dynamic Social Register. This platform aims to expand and strengthen national social protection services for impoverished populations, enhance cash transfer programs, and improve livelihoods. The project target includes reaching 13.5 million beneficiaries—60 percent of whom are women—across four selected government allowance schemes, with all recipients selected through the Dynamic Social Registry. Furthermore, 75 percent of safety net beneficiaries will be selected from the lowest two poverty score quintiles. The project also aims to support 2.5 million beneficiaries through livelihood assistance programs, with women comprising 50 percent of this group. Aligned with national priorities and long-term development goals, the initiative seeks to build institutional capacity, expand coverage, and streamline social protection delivery across Bangladesh.

Family Card Pilot Integrated into Social Protection Project

A Project Steering Committee under the Cabinet Division was established previously to oversee the initiative. The project's original allocation included 75 million USD for Components 01 and 03 (equivalent to Tk100 crore ) alongside $117 million allocated for Budget Support (Component 02).

To strengthen Family Card distribution, enhance technical support, and ensure rapid, accurate implementation, a proposal has been submitted to the World Bank to reallocate $30 million from Component 02 into Component 01. This funding adjustment will reinforce cash transfer programs for low-income populations and expand livelihood support.

According to the Planning Commission, a new policy decision regarding Family Card implementation under government social protection schemes was adopted following the project's initial approval. During the Cabinet Committee meeting on Family Cards held on June 15, 2026, the decision was finalized to integrate and execute the Family Card piloting activities directly within the existing project structure. This integration necessitated the first project revision to incorporate the additional operational components required for the nationwide Family Card rollout.