Pro-poor food programme
In a classic example of how mismanagement can hijack the benefits of a well-intentioned government programme, subsidised rice meant for the ultra poor is ending up in the market in four districts due to corruption by officials, dealers and local influential people. Last month the government launched a programme targeted at the extreme poor and people with disabilities under which 5 million families would have been able to purchase 30 kgs of rice per month at the rate of Taka 10 per kg. It was a laudable move and everyone appreciated it. That the progamme would meet such a fate within just one month is unthinkable.
The food-for-poor initiative, if well executed, has the potential of elevating people from absolute poverty and providing nutrition to a large number of malnourished children. It has the commitment of the highest policymakers. What then explains the gross irregularities that have cropped up within days of initiating the project? How have names of affluent people been included in the list of the poor? Why is it being sold in the market at higher prices? It is obvious that the government launched the ambitious project without putting in place a proper mechanism for monitoring and evaluation.
The international community today knows Bangladesh for its impressive economic growth and significant progress in various social sectors. But beneath this impressive story the fact remains that about 20 million people still live in abject poverty. What does development mean to someone who goes to bed hungry at night?
The food aid progamme is a good imitative. The concerned authorities should plug leaks in the distribution system by forming monitoring committees.
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