Allocate Tk 35,000cr for pandemic-hit poor

Speakers at a sit-in yesterday said the emergency fund of Tk 10.5 crore announced by the prime minister on Wednesday for the poor and daily wage-earners hit hard by the lockdown is not sufficient. They demanded allocation of Tk 35,000 crore to meet the people's needs.

The programme was held at Central Shaheed Minar in the capital, organised by Bhashani Parishad and Rashtrachinta.

Speakers said though Tk 10.5 crore may sound like a lot, it is insufficient for the five crore economically insolvent people of the country. If the amount is equally divided, each person will receive only Tk 2, they added.

Economist Reza Kibria said, "We're only proposing an amount that is suitable for the situation. This money is about helping people survive, and it is not enough for five crore people."

Speaking on the government's decision to distribute the fund based on locally prepared lists, Kibria said, "Please, do not disburse this money through local Awami League members. Do it instead through NGOs and the World Food Programme."

Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said, "The prime minister has declared Tk 10.5 crore for all the poor people in the country. But what can people buy with their share of the money? Maybe an onion or two, but no more than that."

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convener of Nagorik Oikya, said, "We demand that the government allocate Tk 35,000 crore within the next one week."

He said if the government fails to do so, they will hold tougher programmes until their demands  are met.