Social safety net aiding the poor

THIS IS A START AND THE SERVICE CAN BE MADE MORE RELIABLE BASED ON THE PRIMARY PREMISE

At the end of the year, it’s heartening to find that the government’s safety net programme is providing assistance to 79.25 lakh people living at the lower end of the social spectrum. Reportedly, 44 lakh elderly people and 17 lakh widows plus destitute women, who are deprived of support for their husbands, is getting Tk. 500 each as allowance. In addition, a total of 15.45 lakh are being given with Tk. 750 each per month as disabled allowance while one lakh disabled children are getting education stipend from Tk. 750 to Tk. 1300 each per month.

Primary, secondary, higher-secondary and graduation/post- graduation students are being given stipends each of Tk. 700, 800, Tk.1,000 and Tk. 1,300 per month respectively. Besides, one lakh children raised in private orphanages are also getting capitation grant of Tk. 2000 per month and 50 thousand elderly snake charmers and old-age people of underprivileged group are receiving special allowance of Tk. 500. All this is excellent and shows that the government is keen to help people who are less privileged but this programme can be expanded with some cohesive plans.

Firstly, the government can rope in large multinationals to provide funds for the safety net with areas of support featuring children of sex workers, struggling actors and cultural personalities. Against the support provided to special sections of society in forms of monetary assistance and other help like medical, education and skill development support, the companies may be given special tax exemption and privileges, including exclusive treatment at airports, hospitals and national events. The main purpose is to widen the safety net and increase the amount of money paid. While the current amount ranging between Tk. 500 and Tk. 1500 is laudable, in the real world the sum is too little to make any substantial change in a person’s life.

However, this is a start and the service can be made more reliable based on the primary premise. Another method may be to launch ward based social support system by ward administrations which will be given the responsibility of collecting support in money, clothes or medicines from the residents of an area to hand out to local destitute and the impoverished. This way, the safety net will have a city and then a district wise operation. Ward commissioners have many duties apart from giving out character certificates but unfortunately, these offices are never utilized to the full. Hopefully, in the next municipal election, the possible benevolent uses of the ward level offices will be given the due attention.

 

Social safety net aiding the poor

THIS IS A START AND THE SERVICE CAN BE MADE MORE RELIABLE BASED ON THE PRIMARY PREMISE

At the end of the year, its heartening to find that the governments safety net programme is providing assistance to 79.25 lakh people living at the lower end of the social spectrum. Reportedly, 44 lakh elderly people and 17 lakh widows plus destitute women, who are deprived of support for their husbands, is getting Tk. 500 each as allowance. In addition, a total of 15.45 lakh are being given with Tk. 750 each per month as disabled allowance while one lakh disabled children are getting education stipend from Tk. 750 to Tk. 1300 each per month. Primary, secondary, higher-secondary and graduation/post- graduation students are being given stipends each of Tk. 700, 800, Tk.1,000 and Tk. 1,300 per month respectively. Besides, one lakh children raised in private orphanages are also getting capitation grant of Tk. 2000 per month and 50 thousand elderly snake charmers and old-age people of underprivileged group are receiving special allowance of Tk. 500. All this is excellent and shows that the government is keen to help people who are less privileged but this programme can be expanded with some cohesive plans. Firstly, the government can rope in large multinationals to provide funds for the safety net with areas of support featuring children of sex workers, struggling actors and cultural personalities. Against the support provided to special sections of society in forms of monetary assistance and other help like medical, education and skill development support, the companies may be given special tax exemption and privileges, including exclusive treatment at airports, hospitals and national events. The main purpose is to widen the safety net and increase the amount of money paid. While the current amount ranging between Tk. 500 and Tk. 1500 is laudable, in the real world the sum is too little to make any substantial change in a persons life. However, this is a start and the service can be made more reliable based on the primary premise. Another method may be to launch ward based social support system by ward administrations which will be given the responsibility of collecting support in money, clothes or medicines from the residents of an area to hand out to local destitute and the impoverished. This way, the safety net will have a city and then a district wise operation. Ward commissioners have many duties apart from giving out character certificates but unfortunately, these offices are never utilized to the full. Hopefully, in the next municipal election, the possible benevolent uses of the ward level offices will be given the due attention.