The leaders of 11 organisations working with persons with disabilities at a post-budget reaction meeting on Sunday said that budget allocation is insufficient to address the needs of persons with disabilities.

There is no initiative found on skill development and self-employment development of persons with disabilities in the proposed budget, they said.

They made the remakes while addressing a post-budget reaction meeting titled ‘National Budget 2023-24: Status of persons with disabilities’ held at Maulana Mohammad Akram Khan Hall of Jatiyo Press Club on Sunday.

They said that Finance Minister mentioned in the budget speech about the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals ‘leaving no one behind’ and ensuring the inclusion of everyone in building a smart society. But this budget does not reflect how persons with disabilities will be included.

The budget does not reflect the implementation of international conventions on disability, national laws, policies, action plans as well as the government's commitments made in the Global Disability Summit 2022, they added.

The post-budget reaction meeting was jointly organised by Access Bangladesh Foundation in association with DCF, NCDW, NGDO, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Global Affairs Canada, Sitakund Federation, SDSL, Turning Point Foundation, Mama Cash and WDDF.

Chaired by Mohua Paul, Chairperson of Access Bangladesh Foundation, the meeting commenced with a warm welcome speech by Nasrin Jahan, Executive Director of Disabled Child Foundation.

Albert Mollah, Executive Director of Access Bangladesh Foundation, presented a comprehensive analysis of the national budget 2023-24, focusing on its implications for persons with disabilities.

Ashrafun Nahar Mishti, Executive Director of WDDF presented 11 demands for reconsideration in the revised budget.

Albert Mollah thanked the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and the Government of Bangladesh for increasing the number of beneficiaries for disability allowance by 5.35 lakh as well as the monthly education stipend rate of students with disabilities from Tk 750 to Tk 900 at the primary level, Tk 800 to Tk 950 at the secondary level and Tk 900 to Tk 950 at the higher secondary level in the budget 2023-24.

He appreciated the increment of budget for The National Academy for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disability project from Tk 89.57 crore to Tk 97.58 crore and the sports complex for persons with disabilities from Tk 287.23 crore to Tk 300 crore. He also thanked the Government of Bangladesh for increasing the tax-free income limit up to Tk 4.75 lakh for persons with disabilities.

He also emphasized that the total allocation for the disability sector is only 2.94 per cent of the social security programmes and 0.49 per cent of the total budget which is insufficient in addressing the needs of persons with disabilities. The monthly allowance for persons with disabilities remains unchanged (Tk 850), which is insufficient considering the current rise in commodity prices and the cost of living. It is irrational that the number of stipends for students with disabilities has remained unchanged (1 lakh) for the last five consecutive years. The budget is mainly centred to Ministry of Social Welfare.

In total 83 representatives Non-Government Organisations, International Organisations, journalists, persons with disabilities, civil society and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) attended the post-budget reaction meeting.