Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said one crore people will get "special cards" to buy daily essentials at lower prices. "We've targeted one crore people. We will give them special cards so they can buy daily commodities at fair prices," she said.

The premier revealed the plan while addressing a meeting with leaders of the 14-party alliance at her official residence Gono Bhaban. Stating that there are 38 lakh people who are already receiving financial assistance (during the Covid-19 pandemic), she said, "More would be added (for assistance) and finally, a total of one crore people will get this card."

She further mentioned that 50 lakh people have already received cards with which each can buy rice at Tk 10 per kg. The government has enough food stocked, she said, adding, "Alhamdulillah, we still have 18 lakh metric tonnes of food grains in stock and there is no problem."

Urging the countrymen to increase crop production, the prime minister said no land in the country should be left uncultivated.