Corruption, irregularities and chaos in providing relief to unemployed and poor people are happening across the country during the coronavirus disaster. As there is still lack of integration and coordination in distributing relief among the poor everywhere, a large number of needy people are not getting food.
Observers said irregularities and corruption in relief distribution goes on despite the Prime Minister's warning. There is also chaos in the distribution of relief in privately organised programmes. Officials said they are trying to make coordination with distribution of relief by taking drastic measures against such mismanagement.
On April 18, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said there will be no food crisis in the country due to the coronavirus outbreak. To ensure that there is no food shortage or famine, a plan has been taken keeping in mind the economy for the next three years. She said we have introduced three hotline number. Those who cannot ask for help, they would inform at the hotline and food will be delivered to their homes. Fifty lakh people have ration cards. We will make another 50 lakh ration cards. There will be a total of one crore ration cards. Five crore people will get ration if there are five members in each family.
Analysts said the initiative of the Prime Minister is commendable during the crises period in the country. However, it is not fully reflecting due to some leaders, activists, public representatives and bureaucrats on the field. Some people are getting relief several times due to lack of coordination and list problems. On the other hand, some don't get at all. There have also been incidents of theft in various places. This situation has further complicated the relief efforts in dealing with disasters. There are allegations of party consideration and kinship. Besides, supply of relief is also lower than the demand. Although relief is distributed in different areas of the capital by individual initiatives, a large portion is not covered by relief.
Local government expert Professor Tofael Ahmed said, We should not give relief on the basis of list prepared by the people's representatives earlier. Now most people have no work. Like construction workers and transport workers, but they do not get relief. For this reason, a committee comprising of army, public representatives and government officials should be prepared to give relief.
According to the directive of the Prime Minister's Office, the district administration was given the responsibility of coordinating distribution of relief. Relief will be distributed through local public representatives. Councilors, chairman-members have been asked to make a priority list for this. Keeping the safe distance, relief will go home to home if necessary. But in many cases it is alleged that they are not being obeyed. Md Enamur Rahman, State Minister for Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief told Bangladesh Post “We have also seen the worst case scenario. That’s why I have already talked with Army and DC in many other districts. We have instructed them to distribute relief systematically.”
“We have said that if anyone wants to help, he has to deposit his relief to the Deputy Commissioner's Fund. The Deputy Commissioner will distribute it according to their list. Legislators will oversee it,” he added. Dr Enamur Rahman said that under the leadership of the district administration, rice is being delivered from door to door and there is no chaos here. However, the issue of public participation in the distribution of private relief has not yet been fully controlled.
Hungry people have surrounded the house of the late military ruler Ershad in Rangpur, and a ten-year-old child named Afroza has committed suicide in Sirajganj due to lack of food. Meanwhile, in Jamalpur, hungry unemployed people stopped a truck and snatched rice and potatoes. The looters of the relief truck are complaining that they have not been able to eat for several days. When they went to the people's representative for relief, he chased them away. Meanwhile, Police have arrested two brothers in Kurigram for alleged irregularities in relief distribution.
According to Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief sources, about 30 lakh families have been listed across the country. If there are four members in each family, there is a list of 1 crore 20 lakh people. There are still around 1 crore 80 lakh people outside the list. It is time consuming to make a list at the village level. But on the one hand, the list is being compiled, and on the other hand, relief is being distributed.