DHAKA, Bangladesh, Nov 25 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today directed the authorities concerned to expand the activities of
National Disabled Development Foundation upto upazila level for
the development of country's disabled people.

"If necessary we have to amend the existing rules and regulations of the foundation to bring back discipline and infusing dynamism to its activities for the greater interest of the country's disabled people," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while presiding over the maiden meeting of the patrons of the foundation at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) here this morning.

Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed
newsmen after the meeting. Referring to her government's steps
for the welfare of the country's disabled persons, she said they
(disabled) can contribute to the national development activities
if they get proper attention from the government.

In this context, she referred the success of the Bangladesh's
disabled persons in the Special Olympic during the tenure of past
Awami League government.

Sheikh Hasina said, although her previous government (1996-
2001) formed the National Disabled Development Foundation, the
activities of the foundation remained suspended during the tenure
of past BNP- Jamaat alliance government.

Even, no development of disabled people was shown during the
BNP-Jamaat government, she said. Citing example of the
government's "Patho Shishu Prokalpa" (Street Urchin Project) in
Tungipara, Gopalgang, she said her government has a plan to
launch such project across the country for the welfare of street
urchins.

The Prime Minister also asked the authorities concerned to
protect the government lands under the ministry of social
welfare.

Patrons of the foundation and Finance Minister Abul Maal
Abdul Muhit, Home Minister Advocate Sahara Khatun, Cultural
Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad, Social Welfare Minister Enamul
Huq Mostafa, State Minister for Youth and Sports Ahad Ali Sarkar,
Prime Minister's Advisers H T Imam and Prof Dr Syed Modasser Ali
attended the meeting. Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister M
A Karim, Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office Mollah
Waheeduzzaman, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad
and secretaries concerned, among others, were present.