RAJSHAHI, Dec 30 (BSS): The district office of Department of Social Services (DSS) has disbursed safety net allowance worth over Tk 6.01 billion among 0.11 million beneficiaries during the last 10 years.
Some 69,145 people got old-age allowance worth Tk 2.17 billion while 15,227 others with special needs received disabled allowance of Tk 401.2 million.
Each of the age-old beneficiaries got Tk 600 and the person with special needs Tk 700 per month from their respective account-holding banks.
"We disbursed Tk 2.10 billion among 26,915 divorced and other women repressed by their husband," said Rashedul Kabir, deputy director of DSS, adding that 2,404 freedom fighters were given allowance worth Tk 1.32 billion.
Some 195 transgender people got special old-age allowance Tk 1.55 million while 225 bede population were given similar type of allowance worth Tk 1.75 million.
Besides, 1,935 physically challenged students were given education sub- stipend worth around Tk 205.3 million for their institutional education. One hundred and 54 transgender students also got allowance worth around Tk 0.67 million.
Rashedul Kabir said the beneficiaries have been getting their respective allowance timely through their own bank accounts. The government has taken many steps including old-age- allowance for the welfare of poor people to help them passing their days without difficulty.
"Considering their vulnerable condition, the government has increased their old-age-allowance and also number of beneficiaries from the current fiscal," he said.
Transgender people have started getting skill development training here for improving their living and livelihood condition.
The DSS organised a 50-day training for them in its regional training centre early this year. The training will help the extremely excluded population free from being subjected to repression, discrimination and negligence in every spheres of their life.
Rashedul Kabir said the government is very much positive towards making the hijra and dalit communities self-reliant through income generating activities.
The government has given importance to ensuring fundamental rights especially the health, social and legal rights of the transgender people for uplifting their living and livelihood condition.
Mohona Sarker, president of Diner Alo Hijra Society, said the society, as a whole, should come forward with a positive attitude toward the extreme socially excluded people for their coexistence in society with decent livelihood.
Being rejected by families, many grew up hating their bodies, and fall victim to depression, drug addiction, violence and suicide, she added.
Mohona said general people have a very narrow mindset regarding transgender people and they should change their mentality.
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