CPD figures on poverty
Monday, 9 June 2008
THE Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), known in the country as a private think-tank, recently came up with some figures relating to the poverty situation. We are shocked to hear that during the 15-month period from January 2007 to March 2008, the gross income of the poor people in the country plummeted by 36.7 per cent. In consequence thereof, 8.5 per cent people, comprising 2.5 million (25 lakh) households, have fallen below the poverty line. The government so far did not say anything about the latest CPD statistics.
The poverty situation has deteriorated due to the unprecedented food price-hike and the associated inflationary pressure in the economy, further exacerbated by the ever-rising phenomenal international oil price.
The CPD suggested that the government should distribute rice and wheat amounting to three million tonnes through the social sector, and social sector safety net programmes should be expanded in the next fiscal year. Newspapers are reporting that the government is going to incorporate four new social safety net programmes worth Tk. 30 billion in the next budget. This is really a good news for all of us, if the government can manage this large amount of resources for the poor under the budget.
It is almost certain that despite all these safety net measures, the government will raise the fuel price which will definitely have an effect on the economy and the lives of the common people. While raising the fuel prices, the government should particularly remain sensitive to the purchasing capacity of the people who use kerosene and the farmers who have to buy diesel for irrigation.
Ameen Haque
Gulshan, Dhaka
The poverty situation has deteriorated due to the unprecedented food price-hike and the associated inflationary pressure in the economy, further exacerbated by the ever-rising phenomenal international oil price.
The CPD suggested that the government should distribute rice and wheat amounting to three million tonnes through the social sector, and social sector safety net programmes should be expanded in the next fiscal year. Newspapers are reporting that the government is going to incorporate four new social safety net programmes worth Tk. 30 billion in the next budget. This is really a good news for all of us, if the government can manage this large amount of resources for the poor under the budget.
It is almost certain that despite all these safety net measures, the government will raise the fuel price which will definitely have an effect on the economy and the lives of the common people. While raising the fuel prices, the government should particularly remain sensitive to the purchasing capacity of the people who use kerosene and the farmers who have to buy diesel for irrigation.
Ameen Haque
Gulshan, Dhaka