There is a need for having a separate framework in the government's social safety net programmes to help improve the livelihoods of plain-land indigenous communities, a study has suggested.
It has also underscored the necessity of using electronic fund transfer, launching skill development programmes and monitoring various programmes by partner NGOs in this regard.
The study was presented at the annual conference on 'Present status of social safety net program and recommendations for plane land indigenous people', held at the city's CIRDAP auditorium on Sunday.
Right to Food Bangladesh (RTF BD) organised the conference with the support of European Union (EU) and World Vision Bangladesh.
Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon attended the conference as chief guest, with Chairman of RTF BD Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad in the chair.
General Secretary of the RTF BD and Executive Director of Wave Foundation Mohsin Ali moderated the discussion.
Department of Social Services Director General (DG) Gazi Mohammad Nurul Kabir and Senior Research Fellow of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies Dr Nazneen Ahmad spoke on the occasion among others.
Associate Professor at Development Studies Department of Dhaka University Asif Shahan presented a study on the issue.
According to the study, ethnic minorities in plain lands are mostly impoverished among the deprived communities living in Bangladesh,.
"69 per cent of ethnic minorities are landless, while 55 per cent do not have their own abode," it said.
The study suggested devising a separate framework for them, which is essential for selecting the beneficiaries in a righteous method.
Such framework will also help identify the challenges to development activities for plain lands' indigenous people, the study said.
It also suggested enhancing Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) to Investment Component of Vulnerable Group Development (ICVGD) to make the activities more efficient.
Speaking on the occasion, Rashed Khan Menon said the government prioritises social safety net programmes for the sake of underprivileged people in Bangladesh.
He said the existing fund distribution system is full of complexities.
"We are planning to distribution the money under safety net through electronic fund transfer (EFT) technology," he said, adding that more than 0.116 million people received their fund through EFT in recent times.
Dr Nazneen Ahmad also said digitalisation of fund distribution system is essential for ensuring transparency in social safety net programmes.
Terming beneficiary selection method 'irrational', she said a complete database is required to help abolish favoritism during selection of beneficiaries by the public representatives including Union Parishad Chairmen.
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