Minister Calls for Accurate Statistics and Transparent Family Card Distribution
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has emphasized ensuring the accuracy of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics to facilitate the transparent distribution of Family Cards without nepotism.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at an exchange meeting with district-level officials held on Friday, February 27, at the conference room of the Barishal Circuit House.
The minister said that the extent to which a state has achieved civilization and institutional character depends on accurate statistics. Maintaining statistical accuracy requires precise data collection, proper data preservation, and the rapid supply of information. He added that a database system is the most crucial component of modern decision-making, and without an accurate database system, it is not possible to make sound decisions.
He further stated that Family Cards must be distributed transparently and without favoritism, so that genuine beneficiaries can receive government assistance. For selecting beneficiaries in each union, a team will be formed under the leadership of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, comprising the Union Parishad Chairman and two social workers. Through this team, the eligibility of beneficiaries will be verified, and Family Cards must be distributed in a completely non-partisan and transparent manner.
Highlighting the need to modernize healthcare services in Barishal, local Member of Parliament and Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said that although Barishal is considered the capital of southern Bangladesh, it lacks advanced medical facilities. Transporting critically ill patients to Dhaka for treatment is difficult and costly for ordinary people. To address this crisis, he said, it is now a timely demand to transform Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital into a hospital equipped with modern facilities.
He also remarked that establishing a specialized trauma center in Barishal has become urgent.
The exchange meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Md. Khairul Alam Suman. Superintendent of Police Farzana Islam delivered remarks as a special guest. Officials from various government departments and members of the media were present at the meeting.
Meanwhile, at a program organized by the Trustee Board of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to distribute financial assistance cheques among families affected by road accidents in Barishal and Pirojpur, the minister said that he wants to modernize the overall media management system. He noted that Bangladesh has not yet fully integrated with the new forms of media emerging within the technology-driven global ecosystem. When the Ministry of Information was established, such expansion of technology-based media did not exist. Now, with the rapid growth of digital media, adaptation has become necessary, which has not yet been fully achieved. He said that through discussions with government policymakers, steps would gradually be taken to ensure the free flow of information to the public.
The program was presided over by Barishal Deputy Commissioner Md. Khairul Alam Suman, with BRTA Chairman (Additional Secretary) Abu Momtaz Sad Uddin Ahmed present as a special guest.
On the occasion, the minister distributed BRTA compensation cheques among road accident victims. A total of Tk 21.7 million was distributed among 61 affected individuals.
DBTech/PIH/EK/OR
