Rise of rich-poor inequality unacceptable: Planning Minister
He said the benefits of poverty alleviation will not be realised in the long run if inequality is not reduced
Planning Minister MA Mannan said that the growing inequality between rich and poor in the country is unacceptable.
He made the comments while addressing an event called 'Learning and Closing Workshop Civic Engagement Alliance' at a city hotel on Tuesday.
Mannan said the gap between the lowest and the highest levels of society is widening, which the government is working to reduce. If it fails to bridge the gap, the benefits of poverty alleviation will not be realised in the long run.
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During the event, several entrepreneurs working at the grassroots-level shared the difficulties they face while working. They said, "We are often unaware of the various facilities provided by the government."
Referring to their remarks, the minister said, "Judging from the testimonials of the entrepreneurs that have come in from the field today, it is clear that disparity is increasing in our society.
"We have to take various measures to prevent this injustice," he said, adding that there are some legal systems and policies that need to be amended.
Mannan said that inequality in the village is quite severe. I have been a Member of Parliament for the last 14 years, working for landless peasants in the villages. I became a lawmaker thanks to their votes. Even then, these poor people do not come to me. I wander around, living in my village home. I hope they will come.
"But they find it difficult to approach me because of the entourage that surrounds me. Even if a couple of people do manage to get through, their demands remain limited to a tube-well or a Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) card," he added.
The event was organised by Civic Engagement Alliance, in collaboration with Eco Cooperation and Embassy of Netherlands.
CPD Senior Research Fellow, Taufiqur Islam Khan; Senior Food Safety Adviser at Netherlands Embassy, Osman Haruni; Chairman of Palli Karma Sangsthan Sahayak Foundation, Dr Kazi Khaliquzzaman; and Coordinator, Nijera Kori Khushi Kabir also addressed the event.
