Imphal, April 07 2010: Handicap Development Foundation has demanded that the existing schemes and the allowances and scholarships being given to persons with disabilities (PWD) be modified to suit with the changing time.

Addressing a press conference in this connection at its office at Sagolband Tera Pukhri Mapal here today, general secretary of the Foundation S Jasowanta Singh asserted that the Centrally sponsored schemes, scholarships and allowances that are being implemented for the welfare of PWDs are not in sync with the changing time.

He explained that though PWDs in the age group of 18 to 60 years of age are entitled to get Rs 400 ( Rs 200 to be contributed by the State Government while the remaining Rs 200 from the Centre) under the Indira Gandhi Disabled Persons Scheme, they have not received the benefit.

The scheme was launched in June, 2009, but so far none of the PWDs in Manipur have received the benefit.

While the State Government has not contributed its share, the Central share has also not be made available to the beneficiaries.

With regard to scholarships for PWDs, Jasowanta pointed out that the Govt of Manipur provides Rs 30 to 40 every month to handicapped students studying in class I to X and Rs 60 to 70 to those studying in class IX to degree level.

As unemployment allowance, PWDs who have passed class X are given Rs 100 per month only while those who have passed class XII and degree are given respectively Rs 150 and Rs 200 every month.

So, the existing scheme and the allowance and the scholarship being given are not in sync with the changing time and it calls for modification so as to ensure equal rights and shares to PWDs for their integration into the society, he contended. Expressing happiness over the appointment of M Angou Singh as Commissioner (Disabilities) by the Government of Manipur in response to an earlier 11-point memorandum submitted by the Foundation to the Governor, Jasowanta hoped that the Commissioner would work for the welfare of the PWDs and formulate a policy to redress their grievances.

Furthermore, Jasowanta demanded separate column should be provided in the upcoming census exercise so as to find out the exact number of the PWDs in the State and type of their disabilities.

Absence of a Braille press and books in Braille scripts has also been causing lot of difficulties among the blind students, he added.

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