Imphal, January 24 2009: ALL TRIBAL Disables' Union Manipur has urged Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi to specify 3 percent reservation for Persons with Disabilities while recruiting teachers for the schools under Autonomous District Council.

Momo Tantanga, President of ATDUM in a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister recently, said as per the provision under Section 33 of Persons with Disabilities Act 1995, it is mandatory on the part of the government authority to reserve 3 percent posts for the disabled persons in it's establishments.

However contrary to these provisions,the Chief Executive Officer do not reserved 3 percent in the present advertisement for recruitment of teachers in the Autonomous District Council in the state against the aforesaid Act,he lamented.

"There are many educated and qualified persons among the tribal people who are desperately seeking jobs today.

But without the reservation for the disabled educated persons, it is incomplete" he added.

Urging the Chief Minister to take up necessary action in this regard, ATDUM President also requested to re-issue a fresh advertisement before conducting the scheduled DPC or interview so that reservation for differently able persons be fulfilled.

ATDUM also prayed for setting up of a separate and independent department in Manipur for the welfare of the persons with disabilities.

"The enactment of persons with disabilities is a landmark legislation,but we are still deprived of the benefits of this present act"felt Momo.In an interaction with this reporter,this physically handicapped Maring leader added,"there are many disabled persons in Manipur,but we cannot get the government sponsored opportunities due to lack of necessary infrastructures like independent department for us".

It may be noted here that a national convention held on January 5,2005 in New Delhi had recommended to establish a separate and independent department for the welfare of the persons with disabilities in each states of the country.

Momo however appreciated the state authority's reported move to increase the annual financial assistance for disabled persons from Rs 1000 to Rs 5000 sooner or later.

Meanwhile ATDUM in it's two days assembly which was concluded Friday resolves to pressurize the state government to do the needful for the welfare of differently able persons besides appealing to one and all in hills not to forget ATDUM while taking any government schemes related with disabilities.

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