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Policies made in the name of poor ignore them

By Staff Correspondent
Although policies are professed to nc made, including the formulation of budget, in the name of the pool, their opinions hardly find any reflection in the exercise
That is why the poor are also very much indifferent to these policies and most of them do not understand the budget”, said Dr Atiur Rahman of Bangladesh Institute Development Studies BIDS) in his paper titled ‘Poor men s Reflection on Budget The Current Budget and Poverty Alleviation Pro cew "at a seminar yesterday
The seminar, organised by the Institute tor Development Policy Analysis and Advocacy oi I’roshika. was held with its executive director Kazi Faruq Ahmed in the chan and par ticipated by M Sayeduzza man, former finance minister, Dr Mahbub Hossain ot IRRI, Mahfuz Anam, Editor of The Daily Star, Syed Ali Kabir, Khushi Kabir oi Nnera Kari and two representatives of the poor
Budget means the price hike of essentials* slum dwellers were quoted by Dt Auur rs saying in reply to a question his rest arch team asked u. rcsMlents of l’aribagh
He also uuoted Ma nit az Begum, 29, who said, "We live from hand to mouth. Where is the time to think about bud get?"
Terming the current budget formulation a traditional exercise, the BIDS senior research fellow said, "It is clear that this budget is not pro poor". Assuring capital flow towards the poor alone will not record poverty decline, but participation of the poor in the growth process can only ensure poverty reduc tion, he added.
Referring to the indifferent attitude of the NGOs towards agriculture sector and agri subsidy issue, Dr Atiur said, “Their silence in this re gard is as amazing as painful They did not look into other devices, apart from the aub sid. which could improve the situation in agriculture sector in general and the fate ot the fanners in particular, he added
"Publication of annual re port i« not enough to combat the sensitive issues like "poverty selling' he said, adding They (NGOa) need to spend additional time and labour m keeping their organ mums umm accountable and transparent."
The BIDS economist urged the government to devise a mechanism which can ensure the participation of the poor in tne planning process including the budget making
He also stressed the need for effective monitoring to see whether their (poor! suggestions are being implemented or riot.
M Syeduzzaman said Macro-stability is not enough, unless we have long term plan which will help flow of resources for the poor".
Dr Mahbub Hossain said. Over the time the indirect taxes (currently 85 per cent) have gone up, which indicates that the government is taxing the poor while giving concession to the rich."
Syed Ali Kabir called for formulation of a legal frame work for setting up of banks for the poor, which could ensure smooth banking for the poor.
Terming poverty — a state of mind, Mahfuz Anam asked "Will it not be self-defeating, if we term them poor only tor being economically disadvantaged, although they have skills, patriotism and honesty?"
The Editor of The Daily Star also suggested that the media should change its attitude, towards the poor.
A number of the urban poor actively participated in the seminar and raised some questions.
"The finance minister has said that he had given so many things. What has he allocated for our slum where 40 thousand people live?, asked Kulsum, a slum dweller.
Rupban, taking part in the discussion, said that in future no plan including the budget, meant for them, should be undertaken without consultation with our representatives.