Social security programmes

A person needs food, clothing, shelter and medical care. Can the allowance given meet even a small fraction of the needs?

The present government has given more priority to social security programmes for their successful implementation. This observation was made at a daylong advocacy seminar entitled “National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) for Poverty Reduction” in Rajshahi on Friday, according to a report in this newspaper on Saturday. The NSSS has come into effect with the long-term vision of building an inclusive social security system for all Bangladeshis who need it. It aims at effectively tackling and reducing   poverty and inequality, while also contributing to wider employment benefits and economic growth.

A question arises, how much social security does a person enjoy in the country? A poor person burdened with age becomes an object of pity to the members of his own family, society and the state. In many cases old men and women finding no other alternative take shelter in old people’s homes for survival. Even their own children do not care to look after them. Against this dismal backdrop how much effective NSSS has been in the country?   

The government has introduced old age allowances for the old and impoverished people. But the amount is a pittance? In these days of high prices of essential commodities what this little amount can purchase for a person? Isn’t it a mockery? A person needs food, clothing, shelter and medical care. Can the allowance meet even a small fraction of the needs? Then why it is for?

The allowance should be reasonable for an old and helpless person per month. In that case such a person can somehow survive in these hard days. The government is spending a huge amount of money every year in various sectors. All these sectors are not productive. There are also some white elephants. There are also incidents of gross misuse of public money.

 If the government has the pious intention of coming to the aid of the distressed people, it should raise the allocation substantially. Our government is resourceful enough to do this. Besides, the number of recipients should also be raised progressively.

There are also allegations of malpractices in making the distressed persons’ list for old age allowance. The really deserving ones should be the recipients. Political manipulation must be kept out of the scheme for justice and fair play. The government and all stakeholders should come forward to implement the social security programmes in an effective way. Mouthing platitudes will not do. What is needed is concrete action.     

Social security programmes

A person needs food, clothing, shelter and medical care. Can the allowance given meet even a small fraction of the needs?

The present government has given more priority to social security programmes for their successful implementation. This observation was made at a daylong advocacy seminar entitled National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) for Poverty Reduction in Rajshahi on Friday, according to a report in this newspaper on Saturday. The NSSS has come into effect with the long-term vision of building an inclusive social security system for all Bangladeshis who need it. It aims at effectively tackling and reducing poverty and inequality, while also contributing to wider employment benefits and economic growth. A question arises, how much social security does a person enjoy in the country? A poor person burdened with age becomes an object of pity to the members of his own family, society and the state. In many cases old men and women finding no other alternative take shelter in old peoples homes for survival. Even their own children do not care to look after them. Against this dismal backdrop how much effective NSSS has been in the country? The government has introduced old age allowances for the old and impoverished people. But the amount is a pittance? In these days of high prices of essential commodities what this little amount can purchase for a person? Isnt it a mockery? A person needs food, clothing, shelter and medical care. Can the allowance meet even a small fraction of the needs? Then why it is for? The allowance should be reasonable for an old and helpless person per month. In that case such a person can somehow survive in these hard days. The government is spending a huge amount of money every year in various sectors. All these sectors are not productive. There are also some white elephants. There are also incidents of gross misuse of public money. If the government has the pious intention of coming to the aid of the distressed people, it should raise the allocation substantially. Our government is resourceful enough to do this. Besides, the number of recipients should also be raised progressively. There are also allegations of malpractices in making the distressed persons list for old age allowance. The really deserving ones should be the recipients. Political manipulation must be kept out of the scheme for justice and fair play. The government and all stakeholders should come forward to implement the social security programmes in an effective way. Mouthing platitudes will not do. What is needed is concrete action.