Dhaka:Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni highlighted the importance of economic empowerment for disadvantaged communities, stating that creating adequate income opportunities is crucial for improving their living standards and integrating them into the mainstream. He made these remarks during the inauguration of a parliamentary caucus for disadvantaged communities at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the caucus aims to advance the rights and interests of disadvantaged groups, with the Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, serving as its secretariat. The Chief Whip emphasized that families with sufficient income can provide better food, housing, clothing, education, and healthcare, whereas those with inadequate resources remain focused on survival.
He urged the caucus to work towards the economic emancipation of these communities, highlighting the need for collective efforts to enhance their living conditions. Addressing Bangladesh's challenges of a large population and limited land resources, he noted the difficulty of ensuring better opportunities and living standards for all.
The Chief Whip also called for educational reforms to develop a skilled workforce, stressing the importance of practical skills and altering social attitudes towards manual labor. He mentioned government initiatives such as farmer cards, family cards, and health cards as support measures for those facing economic hardship.
Both the government and opposition are committed to integrating disadvantaged communities into the mainstream, he stated, inviting NGOs and other stakeholders to present practical proposals to parliament. He assured them of parliamentary support in considering and implementing feasible public welfare proposals.
The program was chaired by Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, chief of the parliamentary caucus, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram attending as the chief guest. Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, convenor of the Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, delivered the introductory remarks on behalf of the caucus secretariat.