Specially-abled protest, demand implementation of Disability Act

Srinagar, Feb 26: Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association on Monday demanded the implementation of Central Disability Act 2016 in the state.

Staging protests at the Press Enclave here, the members of the association said they were neglected by the successive regimes.

They said the “callous attitude adopted by the government” towards redressing their grievances has pushed them to the wall

“In other states, the disabled persons are enjoying equal rights and care from the government, but here we have been facing government apathy,” said Manzoor Ahmad, one of the protesters.

“Almost a year back, a high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, in which Social Welfare Minister and Minister of State were also present. The important decisions taken in the meeting have not been implemented.”

They said that no census was done by the government.

“In the meeting, Social Welfare Minister, Commissioner of Disabilities and others were also present. The aim of the census was to create jobs for the eligible educated persons with disabilities. In addition, process was to be initiated for enrolling persons with disabilities, in order to allot unique identification disability cards,” a protester, Ali Mohammad said.

“It was decided that all the recruiting agencies will adopt the rules of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) with regard to creating jobs for the educated disable persons. It was also decided that J & K Board will be directed to adopt the rules of CBSE and the persons with disability background will be given BPL and AAY statues.”

They said that if their grievances were not addressed, they would protest in New Delhi in front of the Prime Minister’s office.

Chairman, Abdul Rashid Bhat said the specially-abled population of the society was waiting throughout the Budget Session for something to happen.

“At last, the government failed to deliver. We appeal the Governor to make efforts to pass the Disability Act 2016 in the Assembly,” he said.

Rashid said the CRC pending in Jammu for a long time should be implemented.

“National trust should be reopened .A special recruitment should be started in government as well as private sectors for disabled persons. Self-help groups should be formed,” he said.