BNP on Tuesday demanded the army be entrusted with the responsibility of making a list of marginalized people, as well as that of distributing relief materials.
Using the army to distribute relief materials would ensure transparency and that there are no irregularities, the party claims.
BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain made the demand during an online press briefing, reports UNB.
“I think an extended list should be prepared so that the most affected people can get relief materials. The lists of benefices of VGF, TR, freedom fighters and elderly people’s programs are already with the government. Daily-wage earners, the poor and low-income people should be included in the list,” he said.
The BNP leader further said: “If the armed forces are given this responsibility, they will make the list properly. People in need will benefit and can survive if all the relief materials and other assistance are distributed through the direct supervision of army and police.”
He also said it is the duty of the government to contain the spread of coronavirus and protect people from starvation. “We will also have to play a role alongside the government in this regard.”
Referring to media reports on irregularities in the distribution of relief materials and misappropriation by public representatives, he claimed it is not possible to transparently distribute relief through ruling party men as they have become accustomed to misappropriating things over the last 12 years.
Mosharraf, also a former health minister, suggested the government increase testing for Covid-19 as much as possible, to quickly identify affected people and protect others from possible infection.
He also urged the government to better equip hospitals with sufficient ICU beds and ventilators in order to tackle the growing number of coronavirus patients and save their lives.
The BNP leader also called upon the government to give more incentives for health workers, the army and other law enforcement officials to encourage them to effectively tackle the coronavirus situation.
