The government’s decision to supply 10 million families with ration cards could not have come at a better time. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced on Sunday that, keeping the global economic state in mind, the government is taking the initiative to protect its people.
The global economy is threatening to go into a recession, which could prove to be nothing short of devastating, especially for developing countries like ours. Bangladesh has especially been struggling with the rising food prices, and food security for the masses is a real threat.
Thus, this move by the government is reassuring, and tells us that they are indeed thinking pro-actively about the possible challenges that could arise. Not only will it ensure that at least 10 million families are protected from starving, it is also testament to the government's commitment to protecting its people from the shock of a global recession.
Nearly 20% of the population suffers from moderate to severe food insecurity, and while the situation could be expected to worsen with the ongoing inflation, the ration cards can certainly counter the effects.
But we mustn't stop there.
The authorities must work towards the proper implementation of this plan, making sure that the right people are benefited from the initiative. It is also important that the government continues to develop additional plans to boost food production, ensure food security, and beat the overall inflation -- not just for a select group of people, but the population in its entirety.
As a developing country, Bangladesh is vulnerable to the dangers of a crashing global economy. However, if the government continues to take pro-active initiatives, we might be able to avert any irreversible damage to the economy.