Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has warned all those partaking in corruption in relief distribution, intended to relieve suffering of the poor during the coronavirus epidemic.
The premier made the announcement while exchanging views on the country’s coronavirus situation with public representatives and field level government officials of 64 districts via videoconference from her official Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka on Tuesday.
“I will not pardon those that are engaging in corruption, stealing food or other aid intended to relieve suffering during the coronavirus crisis. They must be punished,” she said.
“Anyone who steals relief will be caught because illegal wealth never remains hidden for long,” added the prime minister.
Corruption and theft have undermined the government’s effort made to distribute food aid to the underprivileged amidst the Covid-19 crisis.
On Tuesday, 41 more people tested positive with Covid-19 in Bangladesh raising the total infected to 164. Five more people died taking the total death toll to 17. Of the 164 infected, 33 have recovered so far.
The fast spreading coronavirus has claimed 73,824 lives and infected 1,329,303 people worldwide till date, according to Worldometers. Around 293,454 people have recovered thus far.
