The New Nation - Internet Edition

AS reported in the press, the prevalence of "Monga" in the rural areas of different districts of greater Rangpur and Dinajpur, has largely been contained in the current autumn season. The poor millions of rural people, including day labourers and share-croppers, have noted the economic realities, that virtually side-tracked the "Monga". The supply of foodgrains and allied items has been augmented with the harvesting of T-Aman paddy introduced in the current season. The BRRI-Dhan-33 has been introduced with support from official agencies. Beyond that, the introduction of 100-day employment generation scheme, the VGF, the VGD and Test Relief programmes of the government were of great help.

The poor people in the northern districts so long faced too many problems. Of those, the price-hike of food items during the month of Aswin and Kartik affected the poor millions every year. The majority of the poor people remain unemployed for this reason and that due to prevailing practice of growing traditional paddy. Except the landowners, who own the farmlands, the majority of the rural poor and the share-croppers, fail to earn enough for meeting demands for food, shelter, medicare and education of children. They face "Monga" in the autumn season and suffer from related problems.

It is worth noting that sufferings from starvation and non-availability of food grains have come down this time. Official agencies noted that starvation was not observed in the region and that is due to the positive effects of various programmes. It is to be noted that new varieties of paddy can be produced in a relatively short range of time. Production has been augmented. The fiscal resources for the VGF, the VGD, the Test Relief and other projects have since been made available to the poor people in the region reducing the impact of 'Monga'.