Disabled demand soft bank loan

The demand was made at their annual general meeting, held at Action on Disability and Development (ADD) Training Center here yesterday.

Over 100 physically retarded men and women form 15 districts participated in the day-long meeting, organised by the Jatiya Trinomul Protibandhi Federation.

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Their leader Kulsum Ranjon in her speech alleged that banks neglect retarded persons when they go for loan for any productive activity.

Rajshahi Sonali Bank General Manager Khatib Nazrul Islam was present as chief guest while ADD Country Representative Mosharaf Hossain was the main speaker.

Physically retarded Firoza Akter told the conference that in addition to soft loans, disabled people should be given micro credit for small business ventures.

"We can also participate in nation building activities if we are given soft bank loan and support", she said.

Khatib Nazrul Islam told the meeting that he would take all necessary steps soon to give soft loan to physically retarded people from his bank. "Order will be issued soon".

Other speakers sought cooperation from all sections of people in society for development of physically retarded people in the country.

They said there should be a change in the attitude that disabled people are not liabilities in society. They can be turned into a productive force if trained and given support, they said.

The meeting was addressed by, among others, human rights activist Ayas Uddin Ahmed, Akter Hossain, Habibur Rahman and some journalists.

The meeting reviewed activities of the ADD in lasst one year and approved its budget and programmes for 2006.