Prime Minister's decision to introduce ration cards

The decision by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to introduce a general rationing system is no doubt a move motivated by considerations of public welfare and is therefore well-intentioned. With the rise in prices of food items going beyond the capacity of the common man and with ever-increasing armies of the poor making their way to the urban regions in search of livelihood, it makes sense for the government to undertake steps that will ease the plight of citizens. We certainly empathise with the government in its thoughts on the issue.
At the same time, though, it must be borne in mind that the move must not be rushed and efforts must not be hastily undertaken to put a rationing system in place. We may recall the experience of the rationing system in Bangladesh soon after liberation. Though the measure then helped millions in what was clearly a devastated economic condition, there were yet reports of pilferage of ration items by unscrupulous elements. The need now is for the government to ponder the magnitude of the challenge when a much bigger rationing network would have to be operated given the incremental rise in population. The government can only benefit by drawing on past experience and also that of other countries before undertaking the task. In other words, much scope exists for serious, well-considered thinking on the part of the administration, which is why there must be no hasty moves right now.
What is of importance is the setting up of a distribution network which will ensure that rations reach those in need of it without any difficulties coming in the way. If these intricate details are not taken care of before the rationing system is in force, there is the chance that middlemen will interfere with the process and undermine the benefits of the rationing system.
While on the subject, we might note that the government has already taken a move to introduce subsidies in such areas as agriculture, including fertiliser. So, some burden is already placed on the government's financial and administrative resources. That is all the more reason why the government should be well-prepared before adopting the rationing system so that it is fail-safe and can serve the purpose with which it is intended to be introduced.