DHAKA – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the government is framing a policy for protecting the rights of the disabled, ethnic minority community and disadvantageous people in the government jobs.

“It’s true that we’ve revoked quota system as movements are waged after pause of some days. So, we’re framing a policy so the rights of the disabled, ethnic minority community and disadvantageous people exist in the government service,” she told the inaugural function of the 27th International Day of Persons with Disabilities and the 20th National Disabled Day.

Addressing the function as the chief guest, Sheikh Hasina added: “We want that they (disabled, ethnic minority community and disadvantageous people) get job properly and their rights are ensured there … that system must be built and we’re preparing that policy”.

The Ministry of Social Welfare arranged the function at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre here this morning with Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon in the chair.

This year’s theme of the day is “Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equity”.

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim addressed it as the special guest, while Social Welfare Secretary Zillar Rahman delivered the welcome address and President of Jatiya Protibandhy Forum Sayedul Haque spoke.

State Minister for Social Welfare Nuruzzaman Ahmed and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the ministry Dr Mozammel Hossain were present on the dais.

The prime minister said the disabled people are our near and dear ones and there is no scope to neglect them. “We’ll have to protect their rights and utilize their talent and strength properly,” she said.

In this connection, she referred to a disabled woman who presented a replica of ‘boat’ to her (PM) at the outset of today’s function.

“You’ve seen that a (disabled) sister of ours, who has no hands, has made an excellent boat through her two legs and presented it to me at the beginning of the function. In this case, there is no scope to neglect them,” she said.

Highlighting her government’s steps for protecting the rights of the disabled and ensuring their welfare, Sheikh Hasina urged the well-off people to supplement the government’s efforts in this regard.

“Don’t neglect the persons with disabilities, rather you will have to build up a mentality to be more closed with them,” she said.

The prime minister said her government has been working ceaselessly for the welfare of the people of the country. “I can say that the people of any class will not remain neglected,” she said.

After coming to power, she said, the Awami League government enacted the Disabilities Rights and Protection Act, 2013 and the Neuro Developmental Disability (NDD) Protection Trust Act, 2013.

“We’ve signed the United Nations Disabled Rights and also inked its optional protocol establishing equal rights of the persons with all kinds of disabilities including autism and NDD,” she said.

The premier said the government has undertaken different programmes for equal rights of the disabled people and protecting their dignity and their overall development.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has framed a realistic education policy with an aim that no child could be kept away from education due to disability.

Under a coordinated special education policy relating to the disability, she said nearly 8,000 students with disabilities including intellectually- disabled are getting scope of education at 62 schools.

“The government is providing 100 percent salary and allowances to the teachers and other staff of these schools,” she said.

The premier said the government is giving stipends to 90,000 students with disabilities and Tk 80.30 crore is being spent annually for this purpose. “A total of Taka 1171.53 crore was given in the last 10 years for stipend of the disabled students,” she added.

Sheikh Hasina put emphasis on constructing disabled-friendly roads, footpaths and other infrastructures and time-befitting training of those who impart training to the disabled.

“A time-befitting training of the teachers and others who look after the disabled is necessary and we have already taken measures in this regard,” she said.

The prime minister earlier distributed awards among three successful disabled persons. They are -Jannatul Islam Mou, Sadia Aktar Urmi and Selim Mia.

She also handed over awards to four organizers – Nasima Aktar Rubel, Mollika Roy, Jawharul Islam Mamun and Sirajul Islam Titu – and three organisations – the Centre for Disability Development, Moulvibazar Andho
Kalyan Samity and Satkhira Disabled Rehabilitation Centre – who are working for the welfare of the persons with disabilities.

Sheikh Hasina also witnessed a colourful cultural function performed by the children with disabilities.