The work of preparing the database of injured-killed students in the anti-discrimination movement is in the final stage, which will be completed next month, said Advisor on Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Sharmin S Murshid on Monday.
Mentioning that 80% of the families of the students injured and killed in the movement belong to the lower middle and lower classes, she said that they are being brought under the government's safety net to help these affected families.
At this time, the advisor said that the work of preparing the database for the students and people involved in the anti-discrimination movement is in the final stage, which will be finalized after verification through the information received from the Ministry of Health and related parties.
"I will give next month how many people died, how many injured and what is the condition of their families."
This advisor said this in a press conference at the secretariat on Monday about the measures taken by the Ministry of Social Welfare and short-term plans on the completion of one month of the interim government.
At the time she said: “We have now achieved a change through the sacrifice of students. And I am fortunate to be one of the advisors who have been responsibility with this change. We got the responsibility of this reform through this youth. Our only goal is reform, renovation and reconstruction.”
Advisor to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women and Child Affairs, Sharmin S Murshid said: “The interim government will remain as long as necessary, if our young society thinks it is not necessary, then we will leave.”
“We have to keep in mind that we have to reach an environment, through which an accurate election can be given.”
“We have to do this work, for that we need reforms. Because our past elections have been so bad, we have our electoral code of conduct, all of which need to be revisited. The voter roll should be revisited, because the condition of the voter roll has deteriorated, the code of conduct has deteriorated; these areas need to be rectified.”
She said about initiatives for the affected students and who killed and injured in this movement, that free physiotherapy services are being provided from 103 disability services and help centers with the aim of developing the injured, affected and potential youth involved in the anti-discrimination student movement.
“So far, a total of Tk75,3620 services have been given to 1,628 students injured in the anti-discrimination movement through the Hospital Social Service Office and Upazila Patient Welfare Association. About 1,000 people have been given psychiatric services.”
The advisor also said that cash assistance would be given as per need among the seriously injured and affected families. Under the very soon Internship Policy, 2023, 12 students will be given internship for four months in various divisions/sub-divisions/branches and subordinate offices under the Ministry of Social Welfare.
Action research will be undertaken for students involved in the anti-discrimination student movement and for harnessing the youth in the service of the country, the results of which will be presented to the public later.
The social welfare advisor said that through the skill development training of the Department of Social Services, the youth will be trained and given small loans.
She also said chairs and hearing aids will be provided free of cost to the students who were injured in the previous agitation. Among the injured students who may have reduced mobility, mobile vans will provide door-to-door services. The list of prominent social workers in 64 districts of the National Social Welfare Council will be published as soon as possible, giving priority to youth representatives.
Stating that the projects of the Ministry of Social Welfare will continue, the advisor said, the progress of the implementation of the projects and the programs are being highlighted.
“Selection of victims, whether the service is reaching them, we have started this work. We will be able to share information next month. Its main objective is to implement and ensure financial transparency.”
She also said that to ensure the proper use of government funds, the development project may be stalled for a few days, but the issue of effective development projects is important. Running work has not stopped. It is very important. Many are afraid.
“No, we will not stop ongoing projects. Allowances and numbers of those receiving various allowances are not changing. But I cannot give this assurance for the future, if we find that there are many fake lists in the list of allowances, after our evaluation, we will correct them. And if we find that there is a flaw in the system that the one who is entitled to is not getting it, we will correct it.”
“We want to work by ensuring transparency. The progress of the work will be presented to the journalists in a meeting every month. And the month’s preparation and work updates will be presented on the website”, she added.