Country saw more income gap, food deficit in 2007 than in 2006, says study

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FE Report
Income gap and food deficit increased in Bangladesh in 2007 compared to 2006, according to a study of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
"An unrestrained market is a fearful driver of human insecurity in Bangladesh as food security is the most basic element of human security", said Abdur Rob Khan, BIISS former director and team leader of the study on 'Bangladesh Human Security Assessment (BHSA) 2007' while speaking at a seminar on the study in the city Tuesday.
According to the study, it was not the market but the people who caused problems. The market was heavily manipulated, mostly capitalising on the global market price rises.
Poverty increased consequently with more people falling below the poverty line as the state was virtually undone by price manipulations by a handful of unscrupulous swindlers, he added.
A long term proposition of increasing competition by facilitating survival of small traders should be taken by the government, he said.
He also pointed out that the government should work to stabilise supply of food to the market through massive open market sales with a view to minimising the impact of private syndicates.
According to the study, accidents and crimes such as theft, violence relating to land and society, hijacking, eve teasing also increased in 2007 compared to 2006.
Experts at the seminar suggested ensuring healthy politics, good governance and effective administration dealing with law and order to control both organised and unorganised crimes.
"The government is very much concerned about the issue of human security", Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shafique Ahmed said while speaking as the chief guest of the programme.