Prime minister considers higher disability allowances, promises access measures

From 18 October 2026 — Daily Brief

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the government would consider a further increase in disability allowances, subject to its financial capacity, at a meeting with disability-rights representatives on Saturday.

Thirty participants and representatives of organisations raised their concerns at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon. The discussion was organised with Bangladesh Protibandhi Kallyan Samity, according to the prime minister’s deputy press secretary.

Speakers sought higher budget allocations, suitable skills training, employment opportunities and a greater role in decision-making. They also called for sign-language interpreters in hospitals, courts and public institutions, and accessible public transport.

Rahman promised steps on interpreters and training, and said the government would pursue more accessible transport in major cities. He agreed to consider a request to relax the age limit for entering employment and to support people with disabilities who wanted to work in agriculture.

On allowances, he said payments had already been increased somewhat after the government took office and that further increases would depend on available resources. No new payment amount or commencement date was announced at the meeting. The other measures were commitments to act, rather than services shown to be fully in place.