Another blow for those already struggling

The government's development budget for indigenous communities decreased by Tk 108.86 crore in the last fiscal year when compared with the previous one, according to a new study commissioned by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF).

The report says Tk 2,508.39 crore was allocated from the development budget in 2020-2021, which means an average of Tk 15,258 for each of the 16.44 lakh people belonging to these communities.

In 2021-2022, Tk 2,399.53 crore was allocated, Tk 14,543 for each of the 16.50 lakh people, it says.

Findings of the report "An Analytical Study on Status of Budget Allocation and Budget Spent for Development of Ethnic People in Bangladesh (CHT and Plain land)" was shared during a programme yesterday at the capital's Cirdap.

Addressing the programme as chief guest, Planning Minister MA Mannan praised the study and hoped that such work will be carried on in future.

He said the government is working to improve the livelihood of marginalised people.

Sharing the findings, lead researcher of the study economist Prof Abul Barkat said people of indigenous communities are one of the most marginalised in the country.

He said the study was "exploratory" and done in about a year.

Prof Barkat said it is hard to estimate how much money is allocated for a specific group of the population in the national budget. Yet, researchers tend to find a method to calculate the figure and say something conclusive so that, if need be, policymakers can use it. This has been applied in case of this study.

The report recommended that the budget for indigenous communities be increased by at least two-fold.

Besides, it suggested a three-fold increase of the budget for human-development sectors like education and health for them.

MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said the government has made a major commitment that the country will progress with the inclusion of everyone, and that no one will be left behind.

"However, we can see some groups of the population are being left behind," she said.

Looking at Chattogram Hill Tracts and plain lands, some communities, whether they are called "indigenous" or "ethnic", are in the bottom half of every national index, be it related to health, education, homestead or employment, she added.

Lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha said indigenous communities in the plains are deprived of their rights.

Bangladesh Adivasi Forum General Secretary Sanjeeb Drong said the country's indigenous communities are unable to make progress in livelihoods compared to others.

Former ambassador Supradip Chakma and Centre for Policy Dialogue Senior Research Fellow Towfiqul Islam Khan also spoke at the programme.