Ration for the poor and disabled

The Prime Minister, in an inauguration programme, revealed that the government will soon launch village rationing for the extreme poor and people with disabilities. The government will distribute ration cards, using which, those in dire need will be able to buy rice at Tk 10 per kilo. This is a commendable initiative and we hope that it will ameliorate their condition by simply lending the poor and the disabled the helping hand that they are entitled to.

Through this food subsidy, a most basic need of those who are struggling can be secured, laying the foundation towards ensuring their welfare. With assistance, the ultra poor and those with disabilities will hopefully have some ease and an opportunity to concentrate more on other aspects of life to better their overall living conditions. Needless to say, it is, thus, a massive step towards making development more inclusive by reducing the marginalisation of these elements of our society.

It is, however, imperative to ensure that the rations do end up in the hands of those that they are intended for. Government programmes earmarked to provide relief to the poor have, in the past, failed to achieve their targeted objectives specifically because of corruption by powerful quarters, particularly at the local level.

We urge the authorities to remain vigilant and actively resist corruption by ensuring that the delivery mechanism is full-proof and the initiative a success. Guaranteeing the basic needs of the poor and the disabled is our moral obligation.