VGF vagaries
Well, this was not a unique case as the front pages of newspapers were flooded with even more bizarre and heartless cases of misappropriation. We have become tired and have ceased to react in such situations. Most of our pragmatic fellows might find themselves prudent enough to take all these to be granted. But as for the 'imprudents', there is no place to seek solace from.
It requires little wisdom to appreciate that the elderly people are the most vulnerable of the vulnerable. So it is natural that they should be given priorities in making the list of the VGF receivers. This has been the case from its inception.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. But we are worried to find frequent breaches in this practice. As far as my knowledge goes, representatives of the local government are responsible for making the list. They are people's representatives. They hardly can miss the fact that VGF is the only source of relief the older persons can avail as other arrangements like Money for Work are applicable for those who can afford to deliver physical labour.
Had the list-makers kept themselves aware of the fact, perhaps the situations depicted on the picture might not have arisen. Our government should pay heed to this reality and instruct the local government officials, or make statutory provisions, to prioritise the elderly people in the VGF list.