Ensure corruption-free distribution of Family Cards for the poor

We welcome the government's decision to sell a number of essential goods at subsidised prices to 10 million selected low-income families (8.8 million of whom reside outside the capital), and the fact that the beneficiaries will be given "Family Cards," which will make them eligible for their purchase. We hope this will negate the purchase of these goods by unscrupulous groups with the intention of reselling them at higher prices in the open market—as has reportedly happened before—and thus denying low-income families, who actually need it, of the benefit. Prices of daily essentials have been rising unabatedly for months now. As reported in the media, prices of certain essential goods have reached record highs. These price hikes are making life extremely difficult for low- and middle-income groups, who have already been hit hard due to the economic downturn brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

While we fully support the government's decision to distribute Family Cards, which will allow people to buy commodities at low prices from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), we can't help but feel somewhat apprehensive, given the track record of previous such programmes. On numerous past occasions, we have seen government relief programmes getting mired in corruption. Although the distribution of Family Cards is intended to check some of the graft, it can only work if the selection and distribution processes themselves are kept free from corruption, which is a tall order. It will require strict government supervision to avoid political favouritism and ensure transparency in the process of preparing the beneficiary list. In line with that, experts have time and again warned against handing such programmes to political leaders, as that has often led to the poor being deprived of their benefits. Thus, the local administration should create their own database of individuals who should be eligible to receive the cards.

Moreover, during previous relief distributions, we have often witnessed long lines and chaos due to mismanagement and other issues. This time around, the government should take measures beforehand to avoid such problems.

If the government can properly make these arrangements, they would definitely help the people that are suffering. At the same time, it needs to try harder to bring the prices of essential goods under control, as that is the only real feasible long-term solution to this crisis.