Writ filed to implement PM's directives

The High Court (HC) yesterday issued a rule upon the government to explain within two weeks why it should not be directed to immediately implement the rules of Disabled Welfare Act 2001 and the prime minister's recent directives for ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities.
The HC bench of Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Quamrul Islam Siddiqui issued the rule following a public interest writ petition filed by Salma Ali on behalf of Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers' Association (BNWLA).
The National Committee for Disabled Persons (NCDP) and 16 government high officials have been made respondents to reply to the rule.
Counsel for BNWLA, Advocate Fawzia Karim Firoze last night told The Daily Star that it was stated in the petition that different laws, policies and directives were made for the welfare of the persons with disabilities, but those were not implemented.
She said the petition mentioned some promises made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the inauguration of the 5th National Convention of the Disabled on October 19 that her government would formulate a law to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities and they would also get the opportunity to have their say on it.
The process is underway to introduce quota for them in government services, including civil service, and the government has already introduced quota for this special group for the posts under the 'class four' category, Advocate Fawzia said quoting the PM.
She said the PM announced that information technology-based tele centres would be set up in every union to create jobs for the physically challenged persons.
We have mentioned the statements and directives of the prime minister in the writ petition, Fawzia added.