An analysis of the national budget sees a declining trend of allocation in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for the last four years, reports UNB.
The allocation in FY 2010-11 was 2.4 per cent of the total budget that disappointingly came down to only 1.2 per cent in FY 2013-14.
Although the 'urban vs rural' disparity in allocation has slightly been minimised in the current year, it is not equitable yet. At present the ratio is 69:31. However, the allocation in coastal areas is disproportionately low; only one-fifth of the urban allocation.
Government investment in coastal areas is stuck at a very limited budgetary allocation despite incremental salinity infestation in drinking water. This results in severe water and sanitation crisis for poor and marginal people; and impedes overall national development as well.
On May 24, 2014, International NGO WaterAid and Human Development Research Centre (HDRC) jointly organised a press briefing demanding equitable allocation of WASH budget over geo-hydrological disparity. Eminent economist and chief adviser (Hon) of HDRC Prof Dr Abul Barkat presented research findings on allocation and utilisation of WASH budget in recent years.
Findings show WASH budget allocation in last five years was heavily urban biased. In contrast, disadvantaged and hard-to-reach areas like char, haor, hilltracts and coastal belt have not received adequate attention from the policymakers.
These pockets did not get proper share of the national WASH budget. To overcome this situation, Dr Barkat opined for "an equitable and inclusive WASH budget, feasible in terms of financial implication".
Dr Md Khairul Islam, country representative of WaterAid Bangladesh, emphasised on adequate budgetary allocation for implementing 'National Strategy for Water and Sanitation Hard-to-Reach Areas of Bangladesh 2012', especially for the coastal areas. Mr. Sardar Arif Uddin, Director, Policy and Advocacy were present on the occasion.
