Quota for physically challenged should stay: economists

Two noted economists yesterday underscored the need for keeping quota in both government and private job sectors for physically challenged people.

“Quota is not a permanent system, but in the present context, quota should be kept for physically challenged people,” said eminent economist and scholar Dr Akbar Ali Khan.

“Instead of considering it [job opportunities for physically challenged people] a mercy, it should be considered their right,” he said while speaking at a debate programme participated by visually impaired students at Dhaka's Brac Centre.

Debate for Democracy and Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh jointly organised the event, says a press release. Visually impaired students of Dhaka University and Eden Mohila College took part in the debate.

Center for Policy Dialogue's (CPD) Distinguished Fellow Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya said there is a necessity of quota in civil service. “The society should be friendly to physically challenged people,” he added.

Chairperson of Debate for Democracy, Hassan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron demanded reservation of three to five percent quota in government jobs, at least two reserve seats in parliament and increasing allowance and age limit for the physically challenged in government jobs.