Dhaka, Nov 12: Notwithstanding the Khaleda Zia government's assertion that it has reported "significant improvement" in famine-like situation in northern areas, Bangladesh's former military ruler H M Ershad has criticised authorities for their "failure" to tackle the situation and termed relief efforts as "farce." Ershad, who recently visited affected areas including his home district Rangpur, told a function here yesterday that the government had "failed" to tackle the situation.
Charging the authorities with "poor allocation" of relief, he termed the relief efforts as "farce."
However, the weekly cabinet meeting, chaired by Begum Zia, on Monday expressed satisfaction at the "significant improvement" in the situation, official sources said.
The meeting was informed that necessary relief material has been allocated for distribution among people for free of cost in eight affected districts of northern Bangladesh. The Prime Minister also warned of tougher action against anyone found involved in corruption or irregularities in relief distribution, the sources said.
Meanwhile, Abdul Jalil, MP and general secretary of main opposition Awami League, alleged in a statement yesterday that the situation has become more "precarious".
Bureau Report