Protect rights of challenged people

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the people of all classes, including the affluent section of society, to protect the rights of people with disabilities.

"After assuming office, we've taken many steps for their welfare, but I'll urge the affluent section, including businesspeople, private and corporate sectors, to help flourish and utilise their talents and provide them with jobs," she said.

Hasina was addressing a function marking the 24th International Day of Persons with Disabilities and the National Disability Day-2015 at the capital's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).

Mentioning that the people with disabilities are the part of this society and country, the PM called upon teachers, students and their guardians not to neglect them, rather to be always sensitive and supportive of them.

Reassuring her government's firm commitment to continue to stand beside the physically-challenged people, Hasina said the monthly allowance of some 6 lakh such people would be raised further from the existing Tk 500.

Hasina said the number of physically-challenged people across the globe is about 100 crore. The United Nations has been observing the International Day of People with Disabilities since 1992. Responding to the UN call, she said Bangladesh has also been observing the day.

Lauding the role of international autism expert and her daughter Saima Wazed Hossain, the prime minister said the present government under the guidance of Saima undertook various steps for the rehabilitation of the countrywide physically- and mentally-challenged people.

She said the government has reserved 1 percent quota for them in all grade-I jobs, including BCS ones, while 10 percent quota in the grade III and IV posts for the physically-challenged people and orphans, which has widened their opportunity for getting government jobs.

Besides, out of about 14,82,716 physically-challenged people, some 6 lakh are getting Tk 500 each per month as allowance from the government while 60,000 physically-challenged students are getting stipends.

The government has already set up 103 service and help centres for the physically-challenged people across the country where they are getting therapy, other related materials, hearing test and counselling.

Hasina said an initiative is also there to set up a national disability complex with all amenities.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith spoke on the occasion as the special guest chaired by Parliamentary Standing Committee Chairman on Ministry of Social Welfare Dr Mohammad Mozammel Hossain.

Speaking there, Muhith said separate budget for the physically-challenged people will not be possible in the next national budget, but it could be within the tenure of this government.

Earlier, the PM distributed laminated ID cards among some of the physically-challenged people. After delivering her speech, she also witnessed a cultural programme there organised by the physically-challenged people and children.

The prime minister yesterday inaugurated the countrywide mobile therapy van service for the welfare of autistic and other physically-challenged people.

She formally opened the service on the premises of BICC through unveiling plaques pressing a switch.

She then saw a van and was apprised about its various features. Later, the PM addressed the function yesterday.