RANGPUR, June 16, 2021 (BSS) – The Harijan community leaders at a human chain cum rally have urged the government to raise allowances for their elder and disabled citizens, divorcees and sub-stipend students to Taka 5,000 monthly.
They sought special government assistance for the Harijan students to enable them in continuing education as the Covid-19 pandemic has created financial hardships disrupting their studies and fading away their hope to become worthy citizens.
The Rangpur unit of ‘Harijan Adhikar Aday Sangathan (HAAS)’ organised the event in front of the office of Department of Social Services (DSS) in the city abiding by the health directives on Tuesday afternoon.
With President of HAAS Suresh Basfor in the chair, its General Secretary Shaju Basfor moderated the discussion that was addressed by its members Shakil Basfor, Jyoti Rani and Joy Basfor, elder citizen Chhotiya Rani and student Hridoy Harijan.
The speakers said the global Covid-19 pandemic has created a severe crisis in the lives of Harijan community people, the most backward population of the country.
Money has become the severest obstacle for the Harijan students in continuing their education, leading life and paying the tuition fees.
Shakil Basfor said the Harijan students are being dropped out and going out in search of work to run their respective families.
“The elder Harijan people are in indescribable troubles as most of them have to work even in these old ages to survive,” he said, adding that only a negligible number of older citizens are getting very little amount of old-age allowances.
Shaju Basfor said widowed Harijan women are spending hard days due to lack of work and poverty in the wake of the global Covid-19 pandemic.
“The number of sub-stipend and old age allowance recipient Harijan people is currently very low compared to the total number of students and adults,” he said.
Suresh Basfor said the Harijan people utterly need increased government assistance and allowances alongside adoption of special plans by the government to improve their livelihoods and living standards.
“We request the government to take special steps under the social safety net programmes to assist the elderly Harijan citizens, divorcees, students and disabled people so that they could pass their life with minimum facilities,” he said.