Editorial
Safety net without dross
Only the ultra poor should be beneficiaries
AS reported by our Pabna correspondent, there was an attempted intrusion by some ineligible persons into the Employment Generation Programme (EGP) launched for the ultra poor in Ishwardi upazila. Thankfully, such an irregularity, on being detected, seems to have been redressed. The local administration has ordered striking out the names of 11 solvent, even rich, Awami Leaguers from the list. The programme is exclusively designed for and targeted at the extreme poor. They are to receive Tk 120 in lieu of work per day during the ongoing lean season. Those found ineligible have been asked to refund the amounts they have already drawn.
Such an aberration should be an eye opener to those in charge of the programme to make it fail-safe. Some organisers have claimed that inclusion of Awami Leaguers, even some party office bearers was something of a necessity because it helped implementing the safety net. This is strange logic, for a programme meant for the ultra poor should not be blemished by wrong entries. As ruling party members and local leaders it is their responsibility to take the programme forward rather than claiming entitlement. Of course, there may be AL men and women among the ultra poor but it is their places that are being taken by ineligible claimants which is a form of deprivation, a same-side folly.
When programme like this is launched the government and the ruling party should be wary of any form of travesty through favouritism, nepotism or partisan slant of any kind whatsoever. That way not only implementation of a well-intentioned and much-needed programme can be ensured but also poverty gets alleviated. That is the way the government earns credibility and the ruling party's standing with people is raised.
We facilitate the timely intervention of Ishwardi upazila administration and urge the government to keep a tab on all such programmes and make sure these meet the purpose for which they have been undertaken.
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