Dhaka, April 29 -- Independent MP Hasnat Abdullah has challenged the government over the fiscal footprint of the Family Card scheme, warning it could fuel inflationary pressure.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, responding during Wednesday's parliamentary session, brushed aside these concerns, maintaining that a phased rollout will prevent any sudden budgetary shocks, bdnews24.com reports.

He argued that the initiative would actually serve to cool inflation by stabilising the purchasing power of the nation's most vulnerable citizens.

The exchange occurred during the prime minister's dedicated question time, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

Hasnat, representing Cumilla-4, raised a supplementary question following an earlier dis...