Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 20 2009:
People with disabilities of Ukhrul district today gathered at Gandhi ground and staged a sit-in demonstration demanding materialization of 3 % reservation in the selection of beneficiaries under the Poverty Alleviation Scheme among others.
The Association of Persons with Disabilities, Ukhrul district organized the protest expressing discontent for government no heed to their five point demands even though the deadline set by the body expired today.
Pressing to fulfill their demands, the body had warned of launching agitation from today (November 20) in Ukhrul district.
The sit-in protest staged at Gandhi Choke, Phungreitang in Ukhrul started at about 10 am and went on till 12.30 pm.
Slogans like "Respect people with disabilities and implement the disabilities Act, reserved 3% in the selection of beneficiaries for poverty alleviation schemes, free education to children with disabilities were displayed at the protest site.
President of APD, Ukhrul, Wungmario A Shimray lamented that even as there has been provision under Disabilities Act, 1996 that 3% of developmental schemes would be provided to disables, the same has not been materialized in the state.
Among the disabled people, many of them are living below poverty line and unable to work and earn livelihood.
They are entirely depending on their families.
In order to relief them from hardship facing in the struggle for life, the body had submitted memorandums to the government including to the Governor at several occasions but so far no positive reply could get, he lamented.
Authorities are willfully marginalizing the disables, he protested pointed out that there is also provision for free education to disabled children below 18 years under Section 26 of the Disabilities Act.
The same is yet not implemented in the state.
Ukhrul district is home to over 500 disable persons including those who are not yet recognized by the state authority.
Since the disable persons are unable to earn a living like normal people, they are living at the mercy of their family members.
They are not getting the benefits of quota provided them under the guidelines put down in implementation of the PDS.
"Despite our repeated plea for materialization of the same authorities are in deaf mute for such a long time.
We have pleaded them repeated by way of submitting memorandum, the latest one was submitted in the first week of this current month," he lamented.