Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed on Tuesday said the government has taken initiatives to bring challenged people to the mainstream of development as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is very sincere about making the life of differently-abled people smooth, reports BSS.
“PM Sheikh Hasina is working for the welfare of the neglected and under privileged people of the country and protecting their rights,” he said. The minister said this while addressing a discussion held at the National Disabled Development Foundation in city’s Mirpur area on the occasion of the International White Cane Safety Day-2019.
State Minister of the ministry Sharif Ahmed and Senior Secretary Jewena Aziz were present at the programme as special guests with managing director Mahmuda Bin Ara of National foundation for Development of the Disabled Persons , also known as Jatiyo Protibondhi Unnayan Foundation, in the chair.
The premier is implementing numerous programmes with her relentless efforts for the differently-abled people, he said, adding that as part of the efforts, a nationwide identification survey is underway to determine the actual number of the people with disabilities. Around 17 lakh persons with disabilities have been identified during the survey. Of them, about 2, 32,906 people were identified as visually-impaired persons, the minister said.
After assuming in the power in 1996, the premier undertook social safety net programmes which nobody ever did, he added. The Prime Minister has already announced a job guarantee for the visually impaired people, he said, adding “All should stand by them (differently-abled people) without neglecting them.” He also requested all to help them and turn them into human resource for the development of the country. Later, the minister distributed cheques and certificates during the programme and handed over smart white-canes among 50 visually-impaired students who got GPA-5 in the SSC and HSC examinations this year. Earlier, a rally was brought out from the premises of Jatiyo Protibondhi Unnayan Foundation that paraded different city streets.
