The government should take up long-term planning to solve problems of
the country's millions of physically challenged people instead of
relying on relief-based approaches, development activists said
yesterday.
They said the charity-based approaches and projects don't yield the desired results as they leave out a large part of the physically challenged population who need it most.
The observations came at a roundtable styled "Disability Inclusive National Budget 2012-13" held at the conference room of The Daily Star in Dhaka.
ADD International, a UK-based development agency, and The Daily Star jointly organised the programme in association with Manusher Jonno Foundation and Shiree.
This was the second consecutive time the duo organised a roundtable to draw attention of the policymakers to the plights of the country's more than 1.45 crore physically challenged people.
During his keynote presentation, Mosharraf Hossain, country director of ADD International, said the social welfare ministry took up a number of projects in the last few years targeting some special needs of the challenged people.
"Budgetary allocation for them has also increased, but development of them is still not the mainstream development," he said.
Over 9 percent of the population is physically challenged, according to the 2010 Household Expenditure Survey. However, less than 0.5 percent of the development budget has been allocated for them in the last three fiscal years.
In the upcoming budget for 2012-13, grassroots organisations for the physically challenged people have demanded an increase in the allowances for the economically insolvent ones and rise in the number of the beneficiaries.
Hossain said they also urged the government to ensure ramp in all government buildings, introduce rationing for the insolvent challenged people and pass law for their rights and also ensure its implementation.
Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, chairman of Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation, said the government should pass the law without any delay. "If we want to do something for them, we need laws."
He said the ministries of education and primary and mass education should take the responsibility of educating the challenged people.
"Mere projects will not be able to bring any changes to their lives. We need comprehensive planning. They should be given priority, and there should also be monitoring."
Sadeka Halim, information commissioner, said the issue of the challenged population has so far been seen from welfare approach. "As long as we see them as beneficiaries and in passive role, there won't be any major changes.
They said the charity-based approaches and projects don't yield the desired results as they leave out a large part of the physically challenged population who need it most.
The observations came at a roundtable styled "Disability Inclusive National Budget 2012-13" held at the conference room of The Daily Star in Dhaka.
ADD International, a UK-based development agency, and The Daily Star jointly organised the programme in association with Manusher Jonno Foundation and Shiree.
This was the second consecutive time the duo organised a roundtable to draw attention of the policymakers to the plights of the country's more than 1.45 crore physically challenged people.
During his keynote presentation, Mosharraf Hossain, country director of ADD International, said the social welfare ministry took up a number of projects in the last few years targeting some special needs of the challenged people.
"Budgetary allocation for them has also increased, but development of them is still not the mainstream development," he said.
Over 9 percent of the population is physically challenged, according to the 2010 Household Expenditure Survey. However, less than 0.5 percent of the development budget has been allocated for them in the last three fiscal years.
In the upcoming budget for 2012-13, grassroots organisations for the physically challenged people have demanded an increase in the allowances for the economically insolvent ones and rise in the number of the beneficiaries.
Hossain said they also urged the government to ensure ramp in all government buildings, introduce rationing for the insolvent challenged people and pass law for their rights and also ensure its implementation.
Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, chairman of Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation, said the government should pass the law without any delay. "If we want to do something for them, we need laws."
He said the ministries of education and primary and mass education should take the responsibility of educating the challenged people.
"Mere projects will not be able to bring any changes to their lives. We need comprehensive planning. They should be given priority, and there should also be monitoring."
Sadeka Halim, information commissioner, said the issue of the challenged population has so far been seen from welfare approach. "As long as we see them as beneficiaries and in passive role, there won't be any major changes.
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