Monga misfortune

The government moved to tackle the situation on two levels: one, it began distributing rice among VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) cardholders. Two, it allocated fund for food-for-work programmes designed to provide jobs to the unemployed. But in both the areas, allocations fell short of requirements: 13.5 tonnes of rice has been distributed among VGF cardholders while the allocation for food-for-work stood at Tk 9.55 crore, according to deputy minister for disaster management and relief.

As it is, the demand outstrips the supply. To compound matters, there have been reports of large scale misappropriation of relief materials. Despite the presence of four ministers and five additional secretaries, the relief operations have not been fool-proof. But 60 relief dispensers, including five government officials, have been arrested or are facing punitive action for their part in acts of misappropriation. We welcome such stringent measures.

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However, there have been allegations of a lion's share of relief materials going to ruling party men. Complaints have also been heard of rice being distributed short of the allocated quotas. These must be heeded and gone into, so that hunger, which is politics-neutral, is dealt with apolitically. The government at the top can only ensure that.