Atiur for separate entity to ensure efficient use of disability fund

FE Report

Former Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman has suggested formation of a separate powerful overseeing entity to help ensure efficient use of budgetary allocation for physically challenged people.

"A strong organisational structure can properly manage the allocation to help physically challenged people improve their living standards," he said.

Citing example of Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), he said an entity like this can also facilitate the activities of other related agencies working for the people with various disabilities.

Dr Atiur Rahman said this as the chief guest, while addressing a session of mock parliamentary debate competition, organised by Debate for Democracy at a city auditorium on Saturday.

Underscoring the need for such a strong entity, he said the budgetary allocation for the Char-dwellers cannot reach the beneficiaries due to unavailability of an administering organisation.

"At the end of fiscal year, we often come to know that the allocation didn't reach the desired beneficiaries rather it remained unspent in the government exchequer," he said.

Besides funding, the economist continued, several other issues including social values, awareness and good intention are also crucial to help people overcome their physical disabilities.

He also said private sectors can also play a vital role for the development of physically challenged people, as they are major driving force of the country's economy.

Regarding recent affairs related to quota reform, he advised the physically challenged students and jobseekers for submitting their proposals to bureaucrats concerned within a week.

Debate for Democracy, a non-profit debate promoting platform organised the mock parliamentary debate competition with the participation of visually impaired debaters.

The topic was 'whether budget increment solely can improve physically challenged people's lives'.

Debaters of Eden Mohila College, who took the role of opposition party in mock parliamentary session, defeated their counterparts coming from Chittagong University.

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