The New Nation - Internet Edition

ACCORDING to economists, the non-government organisations (NGOs) that run micro-credit business have miserably failed to help the ultra-poor come out of the poverty trap and get self-employed with dignity. Thus scourge like 'Monga', meaning seasonal joblessness, continues in the country's northernmost districts. Leading economists at a seminar also criticised the government's manpower training bureau and manpower recruiting agencies for failing to create job opportunities for the poor people of the region. The NGOs that run business with micro-credit have failed to give the ultra-poor the dignity, which may prompt them to eradicate their acute hardship or poverty.

Micro-credit lenders have not taken into consideration the people's ability or inability to work. One economist was of the view that micro-credit did not solve the problems of the poorest of the poor who suffer from malnutrition and loose entrepreneurial ability ultimately. Others said, Monga is 'nothing but a poverty syndrome' and seasonal distress because income opportunities have not been created ahead alternatively. Suggestions like 'savings scheme facilities' and 'employment guarantee scheme' for the Monga-affected people of the region have been offered as possible ways to address the pressing issue instead of nurturing it as a means of doing business. High rate of interest is often charged by a section of the NGOs for the small amount of loans provided to the poorest people.

Micro-credit is not a panacea for Monga. A Dhaka University academician also blamed the NGOs and the government's apex micro finance window for allowing 'poverty to continue offering loans of meagre amounts'. 'The philosophy of the government and the NGOs is the same - Just to keep people alive for using them in micro-credit business', the university teacher was quoted as saying. Agricultural diversification, small and medium industries and revitalisation of cottage industries are considered vital and more appropriate for the Monga-prone northern region.