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Download PDF Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday said the government does not have any plan to introduce rationing of essential items, as it would create scope for corruption.
“Non-price distribution is bound to create scope for corruption and misuse. Besides, there is a lack of delivery mechanism for rationing at present,” said the finance adviser while exchanging views on the next budget with the members of Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF).
Citing his experience as a deputy commissioner in the past, Mirza Azizul Islam said, “It is my observation that rationing of essential commodities creates scope for corruption due to poor delivery system.”
He said it was found that many people mentioned the number of their family members higher than the real figure to get more rice and sold the extra rice in the market.
Replying to a query on foreign aid, he said, “If we can convince the donors, they don’t put pressure to fulfil their conditions,”
Bangladesh could convince the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about the contractionary monetary policy as well as the adjustment of prices of fuel, gas and electricity, he said adding that the country will receive record foreign aid this year, but the donors didn’t ask for adjusting the prices of fuel, electricity and gas.
When asked about the government’s failure to disburse the budgetary allocation of diesel subsidies, the adviser said the diesel subsidies, which could not be disbursed this fiscal year, would be carried over to the next fiscal year.
The government has allocated Tk 250 crore for diesel subsidies although it had earlier allocated Tk 750 crore for it in the budget of the current fiscal year.
The adviser said it took a long time to identify the targeted beneficiaries of the subsidy.
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