Long-term plan for elevating ethnic groups emphasised

RAJSHAHI, Mar 16 (BSS): The government should adopt a long-term plan to solve problems of the region's thousands of ethnic community people for their self- reliance and elevating their standard of living and livelihood, some ethnic community leaders said here today.

They said the normal development programmes and approaches don't yield the desired results as empowerment of the disadvantaged communities is very vital to make them aware about their rights.

They were addressing a regular monthly meeting of 23-member "District Public Policy Forum (DPPF) of Rajshahi" at Safawang Community center.

Anagrasar Samaj Unnayan Sangstha (ASUS) under its 'Promoting Democracy Institute and Practices (PRODIP) Project' hosted the programme for discussing ways and means on how to expedite the DPPF's activities more to draw attention of the policy makers to the plights of the region's plain land ethnic people.

The meeting was told that the three-year project is being executed in Godagari Pourasabha and eight unions of Godagari upazila and six unions of Tanore upazila under Rajshahi district and four unions of Nachole upazila of Chapainawabgonj district.

The ASUS has been implementing the project with financial support from USAID, UKAID and the Asia Foundation.

With DPPF Convener Chitta Ranjan Sarder in the chair, ASUS Executive Director Raj Kumar Shaw and its Project Coordinator Mahbub Alam addressed the meeting as focal persons.

Executive Director of Adibashi Unnayan Sangstha Bhagbat Tudu, District President of Jatiya Adibashi Parishad Bimal Chandra Rajoar and its General Secretary Shushen Kumar Shayam Duar, Freedom Fighter Nurul Islam, Monitoring and Documentation Officer Shushil Tudu and Member of Sammilita Adibashi Nari Jote Minati Hembrom spoke on the occasion, among others.

The speakers sought all-out cooperation of the policy makers so that the fundamental rights of the ethnic communities could be ensured.

Collective efforts of both government and non-government organizations have become urgent need to solve the existing problems of the underprivileged ethnic community people, they added.