AN INCREASE in the number poor households, to 26.43 per cent in 2024 from 24.73 per cent in 2022, against the backdrop of persistent inflationary pressure, which has added to food insecurity, natural disasters and other artificial factors, shows that the poor and low-income people are left to struggle, warranting early government steps. Whilst this has been the case with the poor households, as a Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies study report launched on March 24 shows, the extreme poor have registered an increase to 6.63 per cent in 2024 from 6.06 per cent in 2022. The study, 鈥楽mall area estimates of poverty 2022: trends and disparities in selected districts, 2024鈥� shows that the extreme poor incidence is more in urban areas, with 8.16 per cent, than in rural areas, with 5.75 per cent. The study has found a significant increase in the number of households faced with moderate food insecurity against what it was in the past. The study also reports an increase in severe food insecurity, putting the vulnerable segments of the population in a tight spot. Households are already reported to have adopted negative coping strategies such skipping meals, reducing food intake and changing consumption patterns.
The interim government, which is trying to attend to the damage done during the 15 years鈥� economic misrule, is said to have failed to bring about significant changes in the overall socio-economic condition. The overall inflation eased in February but at 9.34 per cent. Food inflation declined below the double digits, 9.24 per cent, in February after it had started going up in March 2024, having reached 14.10 in August that year because of a supply disruption that took place for more than a month of uprising. Economists blame inconsistency between the monetary policy and the market management, noting that a consistency is needed to check against high food prices and people from sliding towards poverty. Whilst political stability is important to create an enabling atmosphere for private investments and consequent employment generation for people to be able to absorb shocks, the government should bolster food distribution to vulnerable groups until the situation improves. This is true that public investment alone cannot make employment generation to the level needed, but it can create the scope for private investments. The government needs to step up its safety net programmes, including food distribution and the sale of food for subsidised prices, and expand the coverage.
Earlier official surveys tell the tales of the poor, low-income people and people at risks of sliding towards poverty. The government only needs to attend to the issues judiciously and sustainably. And, the government should continue with the effort.