Gap in relief’s demand, supply during Covid: CPD

Everyone in need did not get relief during Covid-19 pandemic in Netrokona as the relief distributed by the government was less than the actual demand, according to a report of Centre for Policy Dialogue.

The report, styled 'Relief programmes and agricultural incentives to tackle impacts of Coronavirus and flood in Netrokona and Haor areas: Effectiveness of government services', was presented at a virtual discussion on Sunday.

Mostafa Amir Sabbih, Senior Research Associate, CPD, presented the keynote at the event.

According to the report, about 46% percent of the total land area of ​​Netrokona is flooded. The government's allocation for affected farmers meets only one to five percent of the actual loss they suffered during this flood.

The report says, "In Netrokona, the government has distributed 2,926 metric tonnes, 80.6% percent of the total allocation, of rice (GR) to contain the impact of coronavirus. And Tk2,10,000 in cash has been distributed, which is 100% of the allocation."

Mostafizur Rahman, honourary fellow of CPD, said analysing how relief was distributed in Netrokona, it was found that there was a big gap between supply and demand.

There are allegations that people's representatives selected people close to them while fixing priorities as the allocation was less than the demand. However, there were many positive aspects.

At the discussion, Bari Pragati Network member Shafiqul Islam Kamal said that the money for agricultural incentive programme in Netrokona was given according to the list of members and chairman. These representatives are worried whether they would be re-elected. This worry leads to partiality is distribution.

Kamal demanded distribution of agricultural incentive through agriculture department officials.

Moniruzzaman Dilu, organising secretary of a community-based organisation in Gaglajur Union No-7, said the people's representatives were giving priority to their own people while distributing relief as the allocation was less than the demand. The people of Haor region who are very poor are not getting the relief.

Mohsmad Zakir Hossain, chief executive of the Poverty Elimination, said when government money goes to the people's representatives, it needs to be checked whether the real victims get it.

Rozina Akhter, a member of No-4 Maghan Siyadar Union Parishad under Mohanganj upazila, said, "We make a priority-based list as it is not possible to provide relief to everyone because the allocation is less than the demand."

"There are 94 khanas in my area," said Manosa Rani Baldasi, president of community-based organisation Teesta. "We are all poor. But some people of our area have got two to three cards to get the Tk2,500 given by the government while many did not know the information," she said.

Executive Director of Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangha Rokeya Kabir, Netrokona Deputy Commissioner Kazi Mohammad Abdur Rahman and Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abdullah Al Mahmud also spoke on the occasion.