DOT Desk
Though the government has abolished the quota system in class-I public jobs, it is preparing a policy to give priority to persons with disabilities, ethnic groups and underprivileged people in government jobs, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday, reports The daily Sun. “There was a series of movement against the quota system. That’s why we had to abolish the system. This is true. But now we’re preparing a policy wherein there’ll be a priority for the persons with disabilities, ethnic groups and underprivileged people,” she said.
The prime minister was addressing a function marking the ‘27th International and 20th National Day of Persons with Disabilities’ at Bangladesh International Conference Centre.
The theme for this year’s day is ‘Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality’.
Sheikh Hasina said no people of the country will be neglected.
The prime minister asked all to behave well with the persons with disabilities.
She urged the affluent section of society to come forward to ensure the welfare of the persons with disabilities.
The government is determined to ensure all the basic rights for the persons with disabilities, Sheikh Hasina added.
“We can utilise the potentials they have… We have to build them in such a way so that we can utilise their merits and skills for the development of the country,” she said.
The prime minister urged all to give the physically and mentally challenged people support so that they can prove their worth in society. “We’ve to give them the opportunity to demonstrate their dormant talents.”
She saiddirectives have been given to all concerned to ensure opportunities for the movement and toilet facilities for the special people in every establishment from now on. Putting emphasis on turning the disabled people as resources of the country, the Prime Minister urged all to work together to bring the disabled persons under the mainstream of the development. Hasina highly praised the disabled youths, particularly the special players, saying they have brightened the image of the country earning medals, including the gold ones, by participating in various international sports events.
She said The Rights and Protection of Disabled People Act 2013 and The Protection of Neuron Developmental Disabled Trust Act 2013 were enacted to ensure the welfare of the disabled people and the government is implementing those.
Presided over by Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon, the programme was addressed, among others, by Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, President of National Disability Foundation M Saidul Huq and Social Welfare Secretary Md Zillar Rahman.
The Prime Minister also distributed crests and certificates among the individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to society.
Later, the Prime Minister enjoyed a cultural programmes presented by children suffering from disabilities.