Debapriya describes current inequality as ‘quicksand below dev’

Staff Reporter :
The deepening inequality in the country prevailing has been described as ‘quicksand below development’ since the marginalized people are not getting benefits from the development.
Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), came up with the remark while speaking at press conference organized by the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh.
The media brief titled “Does Local Realities Reflect the National Development Narrative? Perspectives from Sub-national Consultations” was held at the Brac Centre Inn in the capital on Thursday.
Debapriya, also a macroeconomist and public policy analyst, said, “There has been discernible development in Bangladesh in the form of higher income and improved living standards in recent years but inequality has also deepened.”
“The deepening inequality has become a quicksand below development,” he added.
As a result, the marginalised people have not benefitted from development, the economist added.
During this period of development, government institutions have become weaker, leaving the marginalised people unguarded due to the inefficiency of these entities, Debapriya said.
According to the development economist, the dearth of decent job opportunities, particularly for the youth, has intensified.
He cited inadequate economic opportunities, corruption and information asymmetries as major key barriers facing the people.