Cash assistance for poor a welcome development

We welcome the announcement from the government that it will be providing another round of cash assistance to nearly 35 lakh poor families facing income losses and hardships amid the ongoing nationwide lockdown. Last year, in the aftermath of the first nationwide lockdown or "general holiday", we saw firsthand the hardships endured by the poor—especially those earning daily wages like rickshaw pullers, day labourers and construction workers—when their only source of income was cut off abruptly. This year, according to finance ministry officials, each family will receive a one-off cash support of Tk 2,500 before the Eid-ul-Fitr through mobile financial services.