WB report proves Bangladesh beats poverty rate amid Covid-19 pandemic: Minister

Referring to a World Bank report on poverty reduction in Bangladesh, Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud had said the report proved that we managed to beat the poverty rate amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said some so-called local research and social organisations have published fictitious and motivated reports of increasing poverty in the country during the Covid-19 to create confusion among the people.

"The report of the World Bank has proved that the country's some so-called research and social organisations have published fictitious and motivated reports of increasing poverty during the COVID-19 situation to create confusion among the people. I hope that the propagandas will be stopped now," he said.

The minister came up with the statement while exchanging views with journalists at his secretariat office on Monday.

WB report titled 'Bangladesh Development Update- Recovery and Resilience amid Global Uncertainty' stated that the poverty in Bangladesh has reduced by 0.6 per cent in 2021 than 2020 and the poverty now stands at 11.9 per cent which was 12.5 per cent.

“The World Bank report has proved that poverty has reduced in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid the Covid-19 pandemic, he added.

He said the premier has run the country maintaining the economic advancement and combating the coronavirus outbreak.

And the country has got benefit, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.

Replying to a query over a comment of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the minister said: " We have moved forward amid the Covid-19 pandemic while BNP spokesman claimed that the poverty rate is still 42 per cent. He said the rate reminded the same as it was during Khaleda Zia's regime."

"They

are still at Khaleda Zia's regime. They are giving such usual statements regularly and their politics is centring around conventional statements," he added.

“Their politics are centred on three issues including Khaleda Zia's health, Tarique Rahman's punishment and caretaker government," Hasan further said.

He said the BNP has failed to discharge its responsibility as an opposition party.