Northern districts in the grip of 'Monga'
Friday, 26 October 2007
Mahbubul Haque Chowdhury
MONGA is not a newly coined Bengali word. The word has come from local dialect. It means 'scarcity'. The poor, even the middle income groups, find it hard to purchase anything for want of income. The situation can be likened to a near-famine condition. But it is a temporary phenomenon. Even before 50 years or more, the brunt of Monga was prevailing in North Bangladesh, particularly in the districts of Rangpur, Kurigam, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha and Nilphamari. In the past, drought-like condition, poor cultivation, old model of tilling etc., resulted in very small quantities of crop production. The people encountered days of severe hardship, having no access to income. The then Pakistan government kept a provision for relief, test relief and work in exchange of food to tide over this temporary hardship of the people.
'Monga' -- the situation that it represents -- is now widely known. Thanks to the print and electronic media for highlighting very poor condition of the northern area during the time of 'monga', most people in the country know now what it means. For the last five years, a number of discussion meetings, seminars and workshops were held to find out the means to help combat the menace of "monga". The Govt. and non-government organisations (NGOs) have also come forward to help reduce this poverty-related problem. The Palli Karma Shahak Foundation (PKSF) has also chalked out plan to create jobs for poverty reduction. But nothing has substantially changed the situation. This year, the Monga has come in a big way. The nature has became unfriendly. Flood visited the areas twice. Land erosion has eaten away the homestead of the poor people. This time Monga has, thus, invaded the areas like a monster.
In the past, the Monga-affected people got temporary work. Besides the money lenders also gave them loans, though at a high rate of interest. But such measures were short-time arrangements, causing the Monga-laden people to remain poor for years together. Such measures made the people of the area idle and relief-oriented. Every year the govt. has been sanctioning some relief as an 'ointment balm' on the scar. As a result, the people never tried to do anything that can help create sustainable employment opportunities.
Three-tier actions are needed to fight monga. At the first place, the affected people should have access to some cash to buy food and other essentials. But this money should not be given as dole. It may long-term loans without any interest charge and having no collateral. None of the able-boded persons in the affected areas should be encouraged, in any way, to sit idle. Every able-bodied man and woman should be engaged with the work. They may be used as day labourers.
Under mid-term or second-tier programme, the financial institutions and NGOs may provide them with loans to start with any business like poultry farming, dairy farming, bee hiving, preparation of bamboo-made goods, afforestation, nursery etc. The NGOs should provide them with proper training to make them experienced. Due to the river embankment erosion, thousands of acres of land are turning into char land. At present such, char or sandy land are not being used.
Tent-houses may be erected on the sandy land and the homeless people may be resettled there. In African countries, the refugees at Darfur are living in tent houses. We have never thought about the use of char land. In Gaibandha and Lalmonirhat, many people have started cultivation of maize and nut on the sandy land and the result has been encouraging.
As a part of long-time third-tier programme, plans can be chalked out to use the sandy land to create jobs for the jobless. In the Monga-affected area, the size of each family should not be more than four. This should made compulsory.
Under the long-term programme, efforts should be actively encouraged to set up large industries. At present no textile or sugar mill is operating. This has resulted in large joblessness. The Lalmonirhat Railway Junction has been down sized, resulting in further squeeze of jobs.
The creation of job is the only sustainable remedial measure to fight Monga. The nature is also punishing us every year. We should be ready to face natural calamities like flood, drought and river erosion. Every men and women should be provided with work. The educated people should motivate the people to face the curse of Monga bravely.
.................................................
The writer is former General Manager of Agrani/Sonali Bank
MONGA is not a newly coined Bengali word. The word has come from local dialect. It means 'scarcity'. The poor, even the middle income groups, find it hard to purchase anything for want of income. The situation can be likened to a near-famine condition. But it is a temporary phenomenon. Even before 50 years or more, the brunt of Monga was prevailing in North Bangladesh, particularly in the districts of Rangpur, Kurigam, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha and Nilphamari. In the past, drought-like condition, poor cultivation, old model of tilling etc., resulted in very small quantities of crop production. The people encountered days of severe hardship, having no access to income. The then Pakistan government kept a provision for relief, test relief and work in exchange of food to tide over this temporary hardship of the people.
'Monga' -- the situation that it represents -- is now widely known. Thanks to the print and electronic media for highlighting very poor condition of the northern area during the time of 'monga', most people in the country know now what it means. For the last five years, a number of discussion meetings, seminars and workshops were held to find out the means to help combat the menace of "monga". The Govt. and non-government organisations (NGOs) have also come forward to help reduce this poverty-related problem. The Palli Karma Shahak Foundation (PKSF) has also chalked out plan to create jobs for poverty reduction. But nothing has substantially changed the situation. This year, the Monga has come in a big way. The nature has became unfriendly. Flood visited the areas twice. Land erosion has eaten away the homestead of the poor people. This time Monga has, thus, invaded the areas like a monster.
In the past, the Monga-affected people got temporary work. Besides the money lenders also gave them loans, though at a high rate of interest. But such measures were short-time arrangements, causing the Monga-laden people to remain poor for years together. Such measures made the people of the area idle and relief-oriented. Every year the govt. has been sanctioning some relief as an 'ointment balm' on the scar. As a result, the people never tried to do anything that can help create sustainable employment opportunities.
Three-tier actions are needed to fight monga. At the first place, the affected people should have access to some cash to buy food and other essentials. But this money should not be given as dole. It may long-term loans without any interest charge and having no collateral. None of the able-boded persons in the affected areas should be encouraged, in any way, to sit idle. Every able-bodied man and woman should be engaged with the work. They may be used as day labourers.
Under mid-term or second-tier programme, the financial institutions and NGOs may provide them with loans to start with any business like poultry farming, dairy farming, bee hiving, preparation of bamboo-made goods, afforestation, nursery etc. The NGOs should provide them with proper training to make them experienced. Due to the river embankment erosion, thousands of acres of land are turning into char land. At present such, char or sandy land are not being used.
Tent-houses may be erected on the sandy land and the homeless people may be resettled there. In African countries, the refugees at Darfur are living in tent houses. We have never thought about the use of char land. In Gaibandha and Lalmonirhat, many people have started cultivation of maize and nut on the sandy land and the result has been encouraging.
As a part of long-time third-tier programme, plans can be chalked out to use the sandy land to create jobs for the jobless. In the Monga-affected area, the size of each family should not be more than four. This should made compulsory.
Under the long-term programme, efforts should be actively encouraged to set up large industries. At present no textile or sugar mill is operating. This has resulted in large joblessness. The Lalmonirhat Railway Junction has been down sized, resulting in further squeeze of jobs.
The creation of job is the only sustainable remedial measure to fight Monga. The nature is also punishing us every year. We should be ready to face natural calamities like flood, drought and river erosion. Every men and women should be provided with work. The educated people should motivate the people to face the curse of Monga bravely.
.................................................
The writer is former General Manager of Agrani/Sonali Bank