Noted economist and PKSF chairman Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad last Friday said middle-income country (MIC) status for the country would not mean anything unless the living standard of the people is improved and their rights and dignity are protected.
He also said if political tension persists, poverty reduction mission will not go very far. Unequal distribution of wealth is a major problem in the country's development process, he added.
"Middle-income status has no meaning, as middle-income countries are home to a majority of the world's poor . We have to pay attention to the standard of life of the individuals, and to issues of human rights and dignity", Dr. Ahmad said.
His observations came at a seminar titled 'Taking off from poverty: Reducing risks and vulnerabilities' at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city. Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation (PKSF) organised the programme as part of the weeklong celebration of its silver jubilee. He addressed the programme as the chief guest.
The PKSF chairman said the US has the highest rate of inequality, as only one per cent people own its 40 per cent wealth. Wealth inequality is worse than income inequality.
"Though not severe like the US, inequality is high in Bangladesh. The goal of poverty reduction will not be achieved, if the inequality exists."
He said development is a political decision, which means balanced distribution of wealth among all, ensuring equal rights and opportunities, and not just economic development of a few people or group.
Dr Ahmad said "poverty is a multi-dimensional process, and it should be measured according to dynamism. Measuring it on the basis of purchasing power parity is not enough, as earning Tk 31 or so cannot meet all the demands of a person".
Referring to a report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), he said the productivity of paddy land may fall 32 per cent by 2050 due to the adverse effect of climate change.
"If productivity of land decreases, volume of farm land shrinks, and population increases, what will happen to this country?"
He said at present a culture of blaming each other and taking credit is going on, which must be stopped for the greater wellbeing of people.
"Our politicians always refer to people as the source of all power. In reality, our people have remained as the source of power, but not the rights holder," added the PKSF chairman.
PKSF general manager Hasan Khaled presented the keynote paper on the seminar theme, while Mihir Kanti Majumder, member of PKSF general body, chaired the programme.
Hasan Khaled said poverty and vulnerability are interlinked, as poor people are often affected with various shocks, and their poverty gets intensified. There are economic, social and climate vulnerability, which have various impacts on social and economic conditions of people.
He stressed on political commitment as the pre-condition of sustainable poverty reduction. He suggested for taking a people-centric growth strategy, establishing pro-poor institutions, increasing coordination among various departments concerned, and raising capacity of vulnerable people to reduce poverty and vulnerability.
Zahirul Alam, executive director of Integrated Development Foundation (IDF) and another paper presenter, emphasised increasing allocation for river training up to Tk 200 billion in the budget, so that people of the river erosion-prone areas will not be affected and do not become poor.
Rule of law is necessary to make a poverty-free society, he further said.
Director of Gana Unnayan Sangstha Nasiruddin Ahmed said Bangladesh has developed economically. But social cohesion has been eroding due to vested interest and partisan politics, which often tarnish the achievements.
Mustafizur Rahman of Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) said in many cases benefit of the safety-net programmes are not reaching to the disadvantaged groups, like -indigenous community and people living in haor, char or other hard-to-reach areas.
While answering a question, Mihir Kanti Majumder said as many as 2.4 million people have been benefited from the 'Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar' project of the government. If there are irregularities in 100 cases, it is not a big issue.
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