Disabled people crucial under VGD programme

Inclusion of disabled people in selecting beneficiaries in the Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) programme is crucial to bring all people with disabilities under the programme for their development.

Speakers made the observation on Thursday at an interface meeting on VGD affairs community score card organised by Rangdhanu District Protibondhi Adhikar Sangstha (RDPAS), Rangpur at village court auditorium of Radhanagar union parishad in Badarganj upazila of the district.

Access Bangladesh Foundation and Commonwealth Foundation extended assistance in arranging the event participated by around 60 people, including Members and Secretary of Radhanagar union parishad, civil society members, disabled people and local elite.

Panel Chairman of Radhanagar union parishad Md Saidul Haque attended the event as the chief guest with President of RDPAS Md Rabiul Islam in the chair.

Secretary of Radhanagar union parishad Md Ataur Rahman, Headmaster of Pathanpara High School Md Amjad Hossain, President of Radhanagar union Awami League Md Moksedul Haque Sardar were present as special guests.

General Secretary of RDPAS Md Hasanur Rahman (Helal) and its Community Mobiliser Md Atiar Rahman jointly moderated the event.

President of RDPAS Md Rabiul Islam delivered a keynote essay narrating statistics and social status of disabled population and negligible number of VGD beneficiaries among them in Radhanagar union.

The speakers proposed involving representatives of the disabled population in the selection process of VGD beneficiaries to bring more women with disabilities under the government’s VGD programme for their inclusive development.

The chief guest expressed commitment to involve representatives of the physically challenged people in the process of selecting VGD beneficiaries and implement more development activities for disabled people.

“We want to bring all disabled people of Radhanagar union under the massive social safety net programmes of the government, including VGD, and provide training for their engagement with income generating activities,” he said.