The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a meeting here yesterday urged the government to make adequate allocation in the next national budget for the persons with disability, and integrate them with the mainstream of development.

Bangladesh Disability Forum and Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad (BUP) jointly organised the exchange of opinion meeting titled 'Recognition of the Rights of Disabled People in Formulation of National Development Policy and Budget' in CIRDAP auditorium.

About 10 percent of the total population are disabled, the speakers said and stressed the need for enhancing the amount and number of allowances for them in the next national budget.

Chaired by National Disability Forum President Khandaker Zahurul Alam, the meeting was attended by eminent economist Prof Anisur Rahman as the chief guest.

BUP Chairman Dr Kazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad presented the keynote paper while former Education Minister Dr Osman Farruk, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, National Disability Development Foundation President Dr Mohammad Farash Uddin, former MPs Col (Retd) Faruk Khan and GM Quader, National Disability Development Foundation Managing Director Mansur Ahmed Chowdhury, National Disability Forum Secretary General Jawaherul Islam Mamun, Mahbub Kabir of ActionAid Bangladesh, dumb architect Osman Khaled and visually challenged Sarwar Hossain, among others, took part in the discussion.

Prof Anisur Rahman urged the government to take up well planned programmes to involve the people with disability in the mainstream of development and make adequate allocations for them.

He appreciated the government for making arrangements for allowances for the people with disability in the budget last year, and urged the government to enhance the amount and number of the allowances in the next budget.

Dr Kholiquzzaman said the disabled people are citizens of this country and the state must ensure their rights. Their rights to food, education and health should be given importance, he added.

Dr Osman Farruk said politicians would have to be more conscious about the welfare of the people with disability.

Rashed Khan Menon stressed the need for proper use of allocations for the poor people in the national budget.

Dr Farash Uddin suggested multifarious programmes for welfare of the people with disability in both public and private sectors and proper use of the money allocated for them.

Faruk Khan said healthcare services for the people and welfare of the people with disability should get importance in election manifesto of the political parties.