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Country makes ‘immense progress’ in corruption

Says Sultana Kamal


Thursday, 10 October 2019


Urging the government to take actions for implementation of the law for persons with disability, human rights activist advocate Sultana Kamal on Wednesday said the allowance provided for the physically and mentally challenged citizens of the country is not sufficient, reports UNB.
"Each person with disabilities is given a monthly allowance of only Tk 700 which is by no means enough. Moreover, the local representatives of their respective areas take the first six months of their money in their pockets as a 'fee' for the allowance card. They now need to be brought under cleansing operations," she said.
She made the comment at a press conference about the implementation of 'Protection of the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities Act- 2013' organised by National Council of Disabled Women (NCDW) with support from Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) and USAID at National Press Club in the city.
Sultana Kamal in her speech as the chief guest alleged various media use demeaning words to identify a person with disabilities which should be stopped.
She also mentioned the country's development is not reflected in the lives of its citizens.
"We have gone on the highway of development, become a role model of development... but with development have we been able to move humanity forward in the same rhythm? Have we been able to keep up with civilisation?" she questioned.
The ex-adviser to the last caretaker government further said the evil of corruption still lurks in the country.
"Development means we have only roads, big projects… in which it takes Tk 14,000 to buy pillows and Tk 7,000 to buy pillow covers. We have reached development in corruption, where we have made tremendous progress," she said.