Increase budget allocation

Demand physically challenged people in Rajshahi

Physically challenged people have demanded at least two percent allocation in the upcoming budget for 2009-10 fiscal year to ensure rights of around 1.50 crore of their kind in the country.Ensuring rights and welfare of the disabled people are responsibility of the government as the constitution ensures equal rights for all citizens, they said at a press conference at the auditorium of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) yesterday.Assisted by Action on Disability and Development (ADD), Badhan Protibandhi Sangstha and Jatiya Trinomul Protibandhi Sangstha organised the press conference at the auditorium of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).In the previous 2008-09 budget, the government allocated some 0.07 percent amounting to around Tk 100 crore for development of the disabled people.Now increased allocation is needed to fight social prejudice and injustices against the people with disabilities, speakers at the press conference said.The disabled people presented a 12-point demand including allocation of Tk 50 crore for providing equipment like wheel chairs, crutches, white sticks, hearing aids and artificial legs, Tk 10 crore for legal assistance to victimised disabled women, Tk 10 crore for sports and cultural activities and Tk 5 crore allocations from the SME sector for assistance to disabled entrepreneurs.They also demanded 10 percent of the education allocations for the disabled students, introducing stipend for them up to degree level, special quota in higher education and service sectors, special facilities in transportation and land registration and health allowances for pregnant mothers with disabilities.Physically challenged Nargis Akter Sharifa read out a written statement at the press conference.Sheikh Abu Tareque Mukul, convenor of Badhan Protibandhi Sangstha, M Saidur Rahman of NGDO, Sarker Helaluzzaman, area coordinator of ADD and Hezzy Smith of Harvard Project on Disability spoke, among others.