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Adibashi union demands Tk 500cr allocation in nat’l budget
Bangladesh National Adibashi Union yesterday demanded a budget allocation of Tk 500 crore in the upcoming national budget and the establishment of a separate ministry dedicated to their welfare.
They came up with the demands at a press conference held at the Maitri Auditorium in Mukti Bhaban, Purana Paltan, in the capital.
Highlighting the economic hardships faced by the indigenous people in Bangladesh, Dibalok Singh, chief advisor of the union, said over 80 percent of indigenous people residing in the plainlands live below the poverty line.
In the Chittagong Hill Tracts region, 65 percent of the indigenous population is classified as poor, a number that increased to 92 percent during the pandemic.
Singh emphasised that despite the annual increase in the budget size, the livelihoods of indigenous people have not seen significant improvements, indicating a lack of focus and friendly budgetary measures for their welfare.
“The state structure of this country is influenced by the perspectives of the majority population, which has resulted in the neglect of the indigenous people. In previous budgets, there were specific allocations for the indigenous community, but unfortunately, these allocations have been reduced in recent years,” he said.
Furthermore, there is a lack of a separate ministry or directorate dedicated to addressing the issues faced by the indigenous people in the plainlands, resulting in excluding them from the benefits of social safety net programs.
Despite the per capita income of the general population reaching $2,824, it is unimaginable for the per capita income of the indigenous community to reach such heights.
Adibashi leaders demanded to establish a permanent rationing system for indigenous people and bridge the gap between the mainstream population and the indigenous community.
Additionally, they demanded the government allocate houses and government lands for the homeless indigenous population.
They advocated for the creation of a special budget to implement specific programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods and employment opportunities for indigenous youths.
Furthermore, they stressed the need of providing skill development training tailored to the needs of the indigenous community.
The event was presided over by Rakhi Mrong, an Indigenous leader, while Kanta Hajong, an organising secretary of the organization, presented a concept paper during the press briefing.
