DHAKA, Dec 14, 2024 (BSS)- Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said if BNP is voted to power, a separate directorate will be constituted for differently abled people for their welfare.

“We have a plan to constitute a separate directorate for differently abled people to coordinate the activities of the different ministries taken for them,” he said adding BNP will also undertake specific programme for their welfare.

Tarique Rahman said this in a virtual views-exchange meeting with differently abled people from London today.

BNP in coordination with Protibondhi Nagorik Shangathaner Parishad (PNSP) organized the event at LGED Bhaban auditorium at Agargaon. 

Around 150 differently abled persons from different organization attended the views exchange meeting.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and PNSP General Secretary Salma Mahbub also spoke on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion a number of differently abled persons shared the challenges they are facing. They demanded their representation in the politics.

Tarique Rahman said BNP has a plan to increase the allowances sufficiently and make the distribution transparent and fair.

Responding to their demand for making public transport and public and private buildings friendly for disabled Tarique Rahman said his party will give highest attention to this matter.

The existing Golden Citizen Card will be updated with additional facilities for health services, insurance, education, transport and others, he also said.

Specially abled citizens will be given with vocational and technical trainings to make them self-reliant, he added.

Tarique Rahman also assured them of providing soft loan and other facilities to encourage them to be entrepreneurs.

Presenting more plans of the party for disabled people, the BNP acting chairman said specialized units will be established in district hospitals, mobile health clinics will be launched in remote areas, factories will be set up to manufacture assistive devices for the disabled in the country, skill development training will be provided to disabled children, systematic development of sports will be ensured for disabled persons from marginal areas to national level and support will be provided to disabled for their participation in Paralympics.

"Our commitment is to take strong steps to improve the quality of life of people with special needs and the foundation of which will be ensuring economic self-reliance, social empowerment and human dignity," he said.

Tarique Rahman said: "Let us all work together to build a democratic, inclusive and liberal Bangladesh free from discriminatory. Your welfare and success are our priority."

Briefly speaking on the occasion after listening speeches of the disabled at the event, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said BNP will always stay beside people with special needs.
 
"If BNP comes to power in future, we will identify your problems and take measures to resolve those," he said.

BNP Health Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam, Health Affairs Assistant Secretary Dr Parvez Reza Kakon, Amra BNP Paribar convener Atikur Rahman Rumon and leaders of the party and its associate bodies were present at the event.

Besides, BNP acting chairman's adviser Dr. Mahadi Amin, general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal Rajib Ahsan, members of BNP media cell Dr. Mostafa Aziz Sumon and Supreme Court lawyer Farzana Sharmin Putul, permanent member of the National Press Club journalist Zahidul Islam Roni, organizing secretary of the Dhaka Union of Journalists-(DUJ) M Sayeed Khan and joint secretary of the central committee of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Farhan Arif were involved with organizing the event.