By Engr Mamun Islam
RANGPUR, Nov 3, 2020 (BSS) – Following triumphant implementation of special government programmes, the seasonal abject poverty-like situation of ‘monga’ could not return despite the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic this year in Rangpur region.
“Factually, ‘monga’ does not exist for the last 12th consecutive year in the region where the poor are getting enhanced government assistance and earning wages to lead a normal life now,” Divisional Commissioner Md. Abdul Wahab Bhuiyan told BSS today.
The word ‘monga’ has literally become a historical term with its permanent exit following the decisive political will of the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to eliminate the seasonal curse permanently.
“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has expanded the periphery of massive social safety-net programmes (SSNPs) and increased allowances and reached those to the beneficiaries using digital facilities like bcash,” he said.
To tackle the pandemic situation, 20,058 tonnes of rice and Taka 12.32 crore have already been distributed as special assistance among 20.75 lakh jobless, displaced and distressed families in Rangpur division.
Besides, Vulnerable Group Development, Vulnerable Group Feeding, employment generation, Asrayan and Cluster Village projects, development activities, other assistance and allowances are playing vital roles in tackling the pandemic situation.
“Following implementation of these time-befitting programmes under strict supervision by local administrations, there is no ‘monga’ in Rangpur region where socio-economic condition of the poor has improved over the last 12 years,” he said.
Farm-labourers are earning wages despite the COVID-19 pandemic in the region now at the peak ‘monga’ period of ‘Aswin’ and ‘Kartik’ months as harvesting of the short duration Aman rice has created huge job opportunities for them since mid-October last.
“In addition to this, we have kept production activities at Uttara Export Processing Zone in Nilphamari, where 40,000 people are employed, maintaining guidelines of the World Health Organisation and health directives of the government,” Bhuiyan added.
Thousands of people are engaged in development activities like upgrading Saidpur Airport to international standard, friendship oil supply pipeline, BBIN road connectivity, Barapukuria Coal Mine and other projects to earn wages despite the pandemic.
“Many people are engaged in building over 7,500 houses under the ‘Asrayan-2’ project being implemented now to provide houses to all homeless people marking the ‘Mujib Barsho’-2020 by January 15 next in Rangpur division alone,” Bhuiyan said.
Chairman of Rangpur-based research organisation Northbengal Institute of Development Studies Dr. Syed Samsuzzaman said ‘monga’ could not reappear despite the pandemic following engagements of the poor with income generating activities (IGAs).
“Though the poor lived amid untold miseries for lack of farm activities on crop lands during the ‘monga’ periods, over an era ago, they are now leading a normal life despite the bite of the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the region,” Samsuzzaman added.
Talking to BSS, Rangpur District Coordinator of ‘Amar Bari- Amar Khamar (ABAK) Project and Palli Sanchoy Bank (PSB Jahadul Islam said 1,50,716 poor families have improved their living standard with ABAK and PSB assistance in the district alone.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the beneficiaries are continuing IGAs, enterprises, businesses, animal husbandry, poultry, fisheries and homestead farming with the project assistance, including special crop warehouse and employment generation loans,” he said.
Dr. Md. Abdul Mazid, who got the Independence Award-2018 (food security), thanked the present government for expanding the periphery of SSNPs and various allowances to resist reappearance of the seasonal ‘monga’ despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
“After assuming power in 2009, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina put stress on expanded farming of short duration Aman rice for early harvest from late ‘Aswin’ to ‘Kartik’ to create jobs for the poor to eliminate ‘monga’ permanently,” he said.
“Expanded farming of short duration Aman rice has become popular and its early harvest continues in full swing now creating jobs for farm-labourers to earn wages in overcoming poverty despite the COVID-19 pandemic in the region,” he said.