Srinagar: A well-attended daylong convention of disabled persons was held at Srinagar with a call for sustained struggles amongst others on the issue of social security and implementation of various provisions as mandated in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
The convention discussed various issues and problems confronting this marginalized section of society.
While addressing the convention, Muralidharan, general secretary of the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) lambasted the central government for its complete apathy in implementing the provisions of the RPD Act. He said that the central government is citing a lack of funds as an excuse to deny disabled people their rights. Disabled women and children are subjected to harassment almost on a daily basis.
The main demands put forth by the convention include Disability Law 2016 should be implemented in letter and spirit, vacant posts of the disabled should be filled up and disabled temporary employees be regularized, a free pass facility should be provided to persons having 40 per cent disability, BPL cards should be made for the deserving disabled according to the SC guidelines, a monthly pension of Rs 5000 should be disbursed to the disabled, artificial limbs should be provided to the disabled and the GST on them should be waived off, disability certificate should be given at the PHC level and the process should be simplified, loans for self-employment should be given to the disabled without any interest, special schools for the deaf, dumb and blind should be opened at the district level.
CPI(M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami while addressing the convention exhorted to promote understanding of issues of the disability sector around the region and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and overall well-being of persons with disabilities.
He demanded the inclusion of persons with disabilities in political, social, economic, and cultural life including developmental programmes. “Employment is the tool to empower persons with disabilities economically to live a dignified life. Recruiting agencies have been highly insensitive about serving reservations set for educated and eligible persons with disabilities. Recruiting agencies should conduct a special employment drive for educated persons with disabilities so that the persons on the verge of overage could get economic empowerment to live a life without misery and hardships.”
“A Disability Certificate is an important document for the identification of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are entitled to all sorts of benefits only after the production of the disability certificate. This process should be simplified,” he added.
Tarigami exhorted to launch a united struggle to safeguard the rights of this marginalized section of society.
