Zero poverty special loan scheme stalled in 5 N dists

It was launched a few months back at the directive of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia aiming at combating Monga during pre-harvest period of 'aman' cultivation season in the Bangla months of Aswin and Kartik (mid-September to mid-November).

The Tk 5 crore special loan programme was launched in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram and Gaibandha in December last year.

The loan was mortgage free having minimum interest rate of 5 to 6 per cent and repayable in 48 equal weekly installments. Priority had been given to provide loan to blacksmiths, handicrafts makers, artisans, coppersmiths, sweetmeat, fried rice makers, village carpenters and to people engaged in traditional and extinct professions like weaving of fishing nets and hand embroidered quilts (Nakshi Kantha). Each ultra-poor is supposed to receive loan between Tk 500 to 10,000, according to skill.

The programme was launched in Nilphamari on December 8. At the beginning, it created much enthusiasm among the ultra-poor.

Initially, four upazilas, Dimla, Domar, Jaldhaka and Kishoreganj were brought under the programme.

According to a source in Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (Rakub) Zonal office, it was learnt that only 763

people of various professions were provided with loan amounting to Tk 27.25 lakh since its inception. Of the amount Tk 4.13 lakh were disbursed among 116 people of Dimla upazila, Tk 6.70 lakh among 182 people in Domar upazila, Tk 9.25 lakh among 291 people in Jaldhaka upazila and Tk 6.86 lakh among 174 people in Kishoreganj upazila. But the loan was of little help to five lakh ultra-poor people in Nilphamari. The same situation prevailed in four other districts.

Sources in Rakub Zonal office of Nilphamari told the Daily Star the government did not allocate separate fund for the programme, rather it was included in its Poverty Alleviation Programme, initiated previously.

There are 11 categories of loan under the Poverty Alleviation Programme like goat-rearing loan, loan to retarded people, self-reliance loan and rural women initiators' loan while the Zero Poverty Special Loan Programme is only its wing. About Tk 2.27 crore was allotted to the Poverty Alleviation Programme. From this fund Tk 27.25 lakh were distributed under the aforementioned special loan programme.

Following an investigation, it is found that the loan disbursement process was not transparent under the Zero

Poverty Special Loan Programme. Instead of ultra-poor people, village touts and close associates of Union Parishad (UP) chairmen and members reap its benefit. Fake lists of ultra poor were formed by the concerned UP chairman and members in collaboration with Rakub field supervisors.

While visiting East Khoribari of Dimla upazila, the worst

flood and 'Monga' affected area of the Teesta shoal on Wednesday, ultra-poor Safor Ali, Abu Bakkar, Abdul Jalil and others complained to this correspondent at Ekotar Bazaar against the field Supervisor of Dimla Rakub. According to the complaint, he took Tk 250-300with the help of concerned UP members from each

of them in name of buying stamps and loan forms.

However, when asked to comment, Rakub field supervisor Monjurul Islam Jewel denied the allegation.

When contacted with the Deputy General Manager (DGM) of Rakub Zonal office, Nilphamari A T M

Mostafa Kamal, he told this correspondent, the Zero Poverty Special Loan Programme is still in progress. But, for want of fund it is going on at a slow pace, he said

In reply to another query, he said he has been facing manpower shortage.