15 yrs' dev in BD isn't equitable: Dr Debapriya

Bangladesh has seen inequality in wealth and consumption over the last 15 years despite having some economic development, said Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Distinguished Fellow Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya.
"In the 15 years of development experience, Bangladesh has seen increasing inequality along with economic growth. Inequality has not only increased in money or wealth, consumption inequality has also increased."
Dr Debapriya said this while addressing a media briefing on 'Citizen Agenda for Inclusive Development and Equity: Education, Health, Climate Change and Social Security' at BRAC Centre on Wednesday.
As a result, marginal people have become more marginalised and they remain backward in availing government support in the field of education, health and other social-economic aspects, he said.
"Bangladesh has made some certain economic development in recent times, but it didn't happen equitably… To have equitable development it must be inclusive and bring disadvantaged groups in it."
Furthermore, their (disadvantaged group) non-participation in the development journey has also made democratic accountability weak in the country, he added in reply to a query.
"[Before 1971] economists used to say that there was one country having two economies. Now, we say one country has two societies - one is a disadvantaged group and the other is much more advanced - in terms of development," said Dr Debapriya as he explained the existing inequality in Bangladesh.
The economist doubted the advancement they (the second group) achieved.
He emphasised that Bangladesh bring economic justice and equity in the development process to building an economically equitable society.
"If we fail to bring equity in the development meaning unable to cover the people lagged behind in society under the umbrella of development, we cannot say this is a complete development."
"Bringing back equity in society in the challenge of the next generation," said Dr Debapriya.
Terming the existing middle-class group weak and fragile, including due to economic inflation, he said this condition has helped emerging a new dominating "elite class in the country who are so rich, politically influential and internationally connected."
Manusher Janya Foundation executive director Shaheen Anam chaired the event where four separate presentations were made on education, health, and climate and social safety.
The Technical Stream and Policy Brief preparation was led by Prof Mustafizur Rahman, Core Group Member, Citizen's Platform and Distinguished Fellow, CPD.
The education and health presentations were focused on quality in education and out-of-pocket expenditure cut in healthcare as rights.
CAMPE deputy director Mostafizur Rahaman presented a paper on education.
He suggested increasing education budget to 15 per cent and gradually 20 per cent in the national budget.
Bangladesh Health Watch adviser Dr Yasmin H Ahmed presented a paper on health.
She said people in Bangladesh have to bear as much as 67 per cent of health expenditure as out-of-pocket money which they recommended to cut.
Due to a fragile health sector, it showed, people discrimination was rising between rural and city.
Estiaque Bari, senior lecturer of economics at East West University, presented a paper on climate advocacy.
He said the changing climate would affect the economy and touch all, so this is the high time to address climate change promptly.
Mr Bari called for making data available as action with old data hardly helps take effective action.
Dr M Abu Eusuf in his social safety initiative urged to evaluate and monitor properly and the use of technology in it to take action-oriented measures.

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