Take up massive plan to eradicate Monga
A coordinating committee, comprising representatives from the government and NGOs and people from all walks of life, should be formed to implement the plan, they said at a roundtable in the city.
They also recommended a four-pronged approach to averting Monga, which hits the northern districts every year. The recommendations include creating alternative income-generating opportunities, promoting crops diversification, ensuring protection from floods and raising awareness about Monga.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Short-term, medium-term and long-term programmes should be taken in implementing the massive plan, they pointed out.
The Prothom Alo, a leading Bangla daily, organised the roundtable titled 'How can Monga be eliminated' at its office.
"Monga is a perennial problem which could be solved by creating scope for employment, diversifying non-farm jobs, utilising government safety net programmes more effectively and creating awareness among the people," said Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman of Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC).
He also said that about 400 small schemes can be taken up to offset the impact of Monga.
Dr Uttam Kumar Deb of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) said that Monga can be eliminated within seven to ten years through an effective plan. At the same time, the government should also take necessary steps considering it a national problem, he added.
He said people in the Monga-affected region can cultivate Biri-33, a new variety of rice, which ripens within 100 days, whereas other varieties of rice ripens in 120 to 130 days.
Moderating the roundtable, Matiur Rahman, editor of the Prothom Alo, called for identifying Monga-affected areas first before implementing the massive plan in order to address the suffering of the people.
He also assured that his daily would highlight Monga-related news and take initiative to launch a massive plan to eradicate the problem.
Asaduzzaman Noor, an Awami League lawmaker from Gaibandha, said local leaders and workers of the ruling party have misused a huge quantity of government aid sent for the Monga-affected people.
Food grains from the government safety net programmes, including VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) and VGD (Vulnerable Group Development), also do not reach the targeted group due to corruption of local government and politicisation, he added.
Abdul Motalib Akanda, a BNP lawmaker from Gaibandha, said it is impossible for the government alone to tackle the Monga.
He urged the local and international NGOs to supplement the government efforts in this regard.
Aminul Alam, deputy executive director of BRAC, Saidul Islam Shishir, executive director of Gonosasthya Kendra, Dipal Chandra Barua, deputy managing director of Grameen Bank, Anthani De Croj, project co-ordinator of RDRS, and Mohammad Ashraf Ali, managing director of Rajshahi Agricultural Development Bank, also spoke.