3% job quota for disabled: CM
World Disability Day observed
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 03 2009: Chief Minister O Ibobi today called for collective efforts to raise the status of the disabilities on par with the normal ones.

He said, the will and determination of the persons with disabilities are not lesser than that of others.

He was speaking at a function held to observe the World Disability Day organised by the Spastic Society of Manipur and Department of Education (S) on the premises of the Spastic Society of Manipur located at Ghari, Airport Road with the theme 'Celebrating Ability.'

Chief Minister O Ibobi handing over certificate and prize to a disabled winner in competition

Saying that the government had issued an order for 3% job reservation for persons with disabilities, CM O Ibobi informed that a committee to decide jobs for various kinds of disabilities would be instituted soon.

He assured that the committee would be instituted within a month or two from now.

Speaking as the chief guest, CM O Ibobi also lauded the mind power, brilliance, talent and ability of the persons with disabilities.

One should extend possible help to the disables.

The government will try to set up schools exclusively for students with disability on public-private partnership basis.

This apart, it will try to open a separate employment exchange for the disables, he said.

The occasion was graced by Education Minister, L Jayentakumar, Commissioner (Education), PK Singh and Director of Education (S), M Harekrishna as the president and guests of honour respectively.

Minister L Jayentakumar said, the stigma against persons with disability has dwindled down as compare with the stigma they have some two decades back.

This is due to the exposure of the talents and skills of the persons with disability.

He said, the human resource in disabled persons can also be groomed.

Five selected persons with disabilities were given incentives and citation in recognition of their achievements in various fields.

Winners of the first state level chess championship for disables organised by the Spastic Society of Manipur were also given prizes today.

A fair was also staged to expose the talents and skills of the persons with disabilities on the occasion.

Presentation of various cultural dances from persons with disabilities also marked the observance function today.

Meanwhile, in connection with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Handicapped Welfare Month was inaugurated today at Manipur Press Club here.

The event was organised by Handicapped Welfare Month Observation Committee comprising members from SURE, Manipur; UVYC, Keishampat; and HD Foundation, Manipur.

The inaugural function of the month-long observance was held with the theme 'Awake for the Welfare Society.

A rally was held to mark the occasion.

The rally began from Press Club and touched Khoyathong, Nagamapal, Traffic point near Khwai Maharani Bridge, and returned to Press Club.

The event was graced by DC of Imphal West district, K Radhakumar, Prof N Joykumar, Head of department of History, MU, Ch Joykumar, Councilor, IMC, Dr Dhanabir Laishram, department of political science, MU, playwright, Manaobi MM, and Irengbam Arun, editor of Ereibak as the chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

DC of Imphal West district, K Radhakumar said the Persons with Disability (Equal Opportunities, protection of rights and full participation) Act, 1995 needs to be implemented in the state.

There are few people expert in disability issues.

An authority should be constituted to deal with the matter.

The organising committee has also submitted a memorandum to the CM putting down various demands.

The memo demanded the implementation of Persons with Disability (Equal Opportunities, protection of rights and full participation) Act, 1995, to put Braille symbols, auditory sound systems etc at all public places and reservation of 3% job reservation for disables.

The World Disable Day was also observed today under the aegis of District Disability Rehabilitation Centre, JN Hospital at the premises of the DDR Centre, Porompat.

The occasion was graced by Secretary of Adult Education, KK Chhetri; Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East district, M Luxmikumar; Director of JNIMS, Dr AD Singh and Assistant Commissioner (Disability), M Angou as the chief guest, president and guests of honour.

Delivering his speech, KK Chhetri said, all concerned should take the disables after realising that their wards or kin are disabled to concerned places without delay.

People also should ensure that the disables get their due share.

He said, if the people could not assert their rightful privileges relating to government schemes, they should not expect that the same would be delivered to them.

Therefore, all concerned should claim their rightful shares.

M Luxmikumar said, there is no room for discrimination in this developed world.

All are leveled.

There are several laws to protect the rights of the disables.

The people should ensure that the disables get their due shares in the society.

DDRC has also doled out various materials for the disables including artificial legs, hearing aids, wheel-chairs, and blind canes on the occasion.