Dhaka, April 3:Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina has directed the ministries and other departments concerned, including Public Service Commission (PCS), to implement quota facilities for disabled persons in government services as per rules.

"I'm giving order to the authorities concerned to provide jobs to people with disability as per their quota," she said.

The PM was addressing the inaugural function of the 12th National Day for the Disabled and the 3rd World Autism Awareness Day at the National Foundation for the Disabled as chief guest in the city Friday, reports UNB.

Chaired by Social Welfare Minister Enamul Hoque Mostafa Shahid, the function was also addressed by Prime Minister's Health Adviser Dr

Syed Mudasser Ali and Social Welfare Secretary Kamrunnesa Khanam.

This year, the day is being observed with the slogan - "We always stand by people with disability and autism."

"The government will amend the existing law for the disabled, including provisions on autistic children, to formulate an up-to-date national policy for the best welfare of  physically and mentally disabled people and children", she said.

The PM said, "There is a 10 per cent quota for people with disability in jobs for class III and IV employees of the government while the quota for disabled people in first class government jobs is one per cent".

"The quota facilities for them (disabled people) are not always implemented", she added.

Hasina also asked the government authorities to take best care of the disabled people so that none are deprived of government jobs on the pretext of their disability despite having academic qualifications.

She said: "I can give an example of the Special Olympics, USA, which was held during our last tenure. Physically disabled sports men and women of our country secured 21 gold, nine silver and six bronze medals. So, if we can give them ideal environment and all necessary facilities, such people also can earn name and fame for the nation."

The PM said that the people with disability would have to be provided not only with jobs, but proper environment and other logistic support must also be ensured for their convenience in respective offices and institutions.

She noted that in many cases, buildings and offices are not constructed taking into account the problems of physically disabled people and that's why such people find it very difficult to enter offices and other places.

Hasina reiterated her previous announcement that any private offices and institution giving jobs to the disabled people would receive tax exemption facility.

She also expressed her deep empathy with and sympathy to those children who face serious obstacles to get admitted to educational institutions of the country for unfriendly attitude to towards them even by the teachers.

Source: http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com