WB report proves poverty rise info is fictitious: Hasan

Referring to a World Bank (WB) report revealing further poverty reduction in Bangladesh, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said this report has proved that some so-called research and social organisations have published fictitious and motivated reports of increasing poverty in the country during the COVID-19 to create confusion among the people, reports BSS.

"The report of the World Bank has proved that the country's some so-called research and social organisations have published fictitious and motivated reports of increasing poverty during the COVID-19 situation to create confusion among the people. I hope that the propagandas will be stopped now," he said.

The minister said this while exchanging views with journalists on the report 'Bangladesh Development Update- Recovery and Resilience amid Global Uncertainty' of the WB at his official residence at Mintu Road in the capital.

Hasan said the report has stated that the poverty in Bangladesh has reduced 0.6 percent in 2021 than 2020 and the poverty now stands at 11.9 percent which was 12.5 percent. The WB report has proved that poverty has reduced in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he added.

Meanwhile, Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud on Saturday called upon the students to follow the indigenous values instead of engaging in blind imitation of western culture.

He was addressing as the chief guest a pre-iftar discussion of Chattogram Students Welfare Association of Jagannath University, Dhaka in Chattogram Bhaban auditorium here.

Calling upon the students to become empathetic to fellow students, the minister said: "If any of your friends falls behind, you should extend cooperation to your friend in going ahead."