Providing easy access of marginalised communities to public services urged

RANGPUR, Aug 25: Government and non-government service providers have been urged to strengthen coordination to ensure easier access to public services and protect the rights of Dalit and other marginalised communities.

The call came at a coordination workshop held in the conference room of the Rangpur deputy commissioner’s office on Monday.

Titled “Expanding Public Space and Strengthening Good Governance through Participation of Citizen Organizations,” the workshop was organised jointly by Debi Chowdhurani Palli Unnayan Kendra (DIPUK) and Social Equity for Effective Development (SEED) under a project aimed at strengthening citizen participation and good governance.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Ramiz Alam attended the programme as the chief guest.

Officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension, Department of Social Services, Department of Livestock Services, Department of Youth Development and other government offices, along with NGO representatives, civil society members, journalists, representatives of the Hijra community and people with disabilities, and members of the Dalit community participated in the workshop.

DIPUK Chief Executive Md Nurul Islam delivered the welcome speech, while SEED Executive Director Sarathi Rani Saha spoke about the objectives and activities of the programme. DIPUK Project Coordinator Md Iqbal Hossain presented an overview of the project’s progress.

Participants said the initiative had helped raise awareness among Dalit community members about their rights and government services, including social safety-net allowances. It had also improved their ability to communicate with government offices and seek services.

Ramiz Alam said the needs and problems of Dalit communities should be identified through consultations with beneficiaries and incorporated into development plans.

“There is further scope to work, particularly in the education sector,” he said, urging government agencies to take effective measures to ensure services for Dalit and other marginalised communities.

Journalists at the workshop highlighted various problems faced by Dalit communities, including difficulties faced by members of the Harijan community traditionally employed as sanitation workers.

Speakers said sanitation jobs in many government institutions were increasingly being given to workers from other communities, creating employment and livelihood difficulties for members of the Harijan community.

The speakers stressed that project-based initiatives alone would not be enough to improve the lives of marginalised communities. Regular coordination, accountability and cooperation among government agencies, citizen organisations and community representatives are essential to ensure their rights and improve their quality of life.