Govt to use multidimensional indicator

The government will use multidimensional poverty indicator for assessment of poverty level in the country aiming to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Data related to education, health and living standards will be included along with the income and expenditure to evaluate poverty, according to the worksheet of SDG’s implementation and review committee.

Committee sources said the current system of measuring poverty indicator hinders SDG achievement. For perfect assessment, other issues like income, expenditure, education, health and living standards should be reviewed properly which will functionally ensure the appropriate distribution of necessary assets and development planning.

Planning Minister MA Mannan regarding the matter told The Business Post, that science dependency will be increased in the poverty indicator assessment for a flawless planning.

“Poverty indicator aspect has been expanded as only income and expenditure can’t properly explain poverty measurement when we have also become a middle-income country,” he said.

The government is training officials at various ministries to improve SDG and data collection capacity, sources said.

Besides, different development projects and measures were taken for localisation of SDG after fixing the additional indicator. The government is also working to ensure participation of underprivileged portion of the society in the matter.

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has been asked to conclude the work of making a database on national households, Principal Coordinator SDG Affairs, Zuena Aziz said.

“During making the database for poverty assessment information regarding other issues of multidimensional poverty indicator will be collected,” he said.