Call to raise allowance for people with disabilities

The government's existing allowance for the people with disabilities is insufficient in terms of current high prices of essential commodities, speakers said at a debate competition programme on Saturday.

They also urged the government to increase the amount of allowance and bring all disabled people under this safety net scheme.

Visually impaired students from different universities took part in the competition organised by Debate for Democracy (DFD).

Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon attended the programme as the chief guest while chairman of ATN Bangla and ATN News Dr Mahfuzur Rahman as the special guest. Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, chairman of the DFD, presided over it.

Students from Dhaka University and Jahangirnagar University took part in the contest. Dhaka University debaters won the competition.

Mr Menon said it is necessary to create mass awareness to help include the people with disabilities in mainstream development.

"Many good initiatives become unsuccessful due to improper awareness campaign," he said, adding that the present government has taken initiatives to help protect the backward people.

The DFD chairman said the existing government allowance Tk 700 for the disabled people is not sufficient. Besides, all disabled people have not yet been brought under this safety net programme.

Dr Mahfuzur Rahman urged different financial institutions, banks, insurance companies and affluent people to help disabled groups improve their living standard.

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