Speakers at a dialogue identified the centralised form of administration and weakness in implementation of development schemes as major hindrances to reining in the persistent poverty in the country.
They also felt corruption could be curbed if the administration is decentralised and transparency is established in the implementation process of development projects.
Organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), the dialogue on "Mapping Poverty for Rural Bangladesh: Implications for pro-poor Development" was held at the CIRDAP auditorium in the city.
Mushfiqur Rahman MP, Abdur Razzak MP, Faruk Khan MP, former bureaucrats like AMA Muhit and Muzibul Haque, economists Hossain Zillur Rahman, Atiur Rahman, Binayek Sen, NGO leader Zafrullah, politicians Hasanul Haque Inu and Nur-e Alam Ziku spoke at the dialogue.
CPD Chairman Rehman Sobhan presided over the discussion while the head of the Social Science Division of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Mahbub Hossain presented a paper on the topic.
Referring to the government policies during the last 30 years, Rehman Sobhan said it was not possible so far to make a single union absolutely free from poverty.
"Can we see within our life-time the country is free from poverty?" the elderly economist posed the question before lawmakers and politicians, most of whom are his former students.
He also urged them to show at least one union parishad in the country where there is no poor people.
Musfiq observed that, with the current poverty reduction rate of only 1.0 per cent per annum, the goal of poverty elimination would be delayed.
He said weakness in implementation of government policy is the main problem to reduce poverty in the country.
The bureaucrat-turned politician, however, expressed the hope that there would be more support for the farmers in the next national budget.
Opposition lawmaker Razzak alleged the government did not discuss the poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP) in parliament.
Suggesting the future economic policy, he said taxes from rich people should be collected efficiently and effectively for use in poverty reduction.
Referring to the current trend in economic growth rate, he said the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate should go beyond seven per cent to achieve the poverty reduction goal by 2015.
Former Cabinet Secretary Muzibul said the present centralised system of governance cannot deliver desired results for poverty reduction. Rather, it creates corruption, he added.
He also said there should be a policy for non-government organisations (NGOs) which should be recognised as development partners.
Mentioning the experience in Indian State of Karnataka, Zafrullah said it is possible to provide healthcare services, including heart operation, to the rural people if they give Tk 200 per year