Lack of coordination barrier to poverty reduction
Discussion told
A lack of coordination of government's different social safety net programmes and wealth's unequal distribution among underprivileged people create barriers in ensuring food security for all, speakers said at a discussion yesterday.
The country has achieved successes on some development indexes, including food production and national growth rate, but poor people's access to food has not been ensured due to high poverty rate, they added.
Despite the incumbent government's electoral pledge to bring poverty rate down to 25 percent by 2013, the existing poverty rate is still 31 percent, they told the discussion on "Food for All" in the capital's Cirdap auditorium.
The programme was hosted by Anti-Poverty Platform, which consists of 31 non-government organisations working to address the issue of poverty.
Executive Director of Brac Dr Mahbub Hossain said the overall earning capacity of people had been increasing but disparity was still prevailing. "That's why the poverty rate is not declining significantly."
He also said it was impossible to ensure sustainable growth of people's income only with relief programmes.
Noted economist Prof MM Akash said it was difficult to eliminate poverty with the direct supervision of bureaucrats or NGOs, as their activities were rarely transparent and accountable.
However, the government's target to bring poverty down to 25 percent from the existing 31 percent will be possible if the current poverty reduction rate, which is two percent per year, remains the same, he said.
Manusher Jonno Foundation Executive Director Shaheen Anam said the society was turning towards exclusive growth from inclusive trend but poverty could not be eradicated until inclusive growth was ensured.
Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) Chairman Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad chaired the discussion.
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