Dhaka, April 14 -- The government on Tuesday launched the Farmers' Card pre-pilot programme in Tangail on Pahela Boishakh, the first day of the Bangla New Year, marking another step towards fulfilling its election pledges.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally inaugurated the programme at Shaheed Maruf Stadium.

The Prime Minister pressed a button on a laptop and launched the pre-pilot programme nationwide around 12:22 pm, saying Bismillah (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful).

Later, he handed over Farmers' Cards and tree saplings to 15 marginal farmers, including Md Abu Kaysar, Md Roman, Shahnur Alam, Md Shah Alam, Zulekha Akhter, Nasima Khanam Sumona, Shilpi, Amena Begum, Nawab Ali, Mohammad Ali, Kabir Hossain...