Specially-abled persons demand benefits of Govt schemes

Scores of specially-abled persons Thursday staged a protest demonstration at Press Enclave here, demanding benefits of various government schemes meant for them.

The group from district Kupwara alleged that their fileswere gathering dust in the offices of authorities concerned who have not paidthem their due “as is guaranteed under various government schemes” since threemonths.

   

The protestors assembled under the banner of DistrictHandicapped and Old Age Association Kupwara and raised slogans demandingjustice.

GhulamRasool, a specially-abled protestor said that he andmany others like him have been running from pillar to post to get the benefitspromised in government schemes for them.

“In 2017, we were promised machines and other relevantequipment that would help us in various ways in our day-to-day life. We werealso promised monthly financial help but nothing was done,” said Rasool who hasdifficulty walking with a damaged leg.

Saifudin, another specially-abled protestor said employeesat district welfare office Kupwara were neither ready to listen to theirgrievances nor do they tell them anything about the status of theirapplications seeking benefits the schemes envisage for them.

Commissioner for persons with disabilities in the J&Kgovernment, Iqbal Lone, said the State was the only one across India where 50%of 3.6 lakh known persons with disabilities were provided benefits under variousschemes.

However, the protesting specially-abled persons had adifferent story to tell.

“Some of the employees humiliate us and ask us to not visitthe office again. We appeal the authorities to issue their transfer orders asthey have been there for past few decades,” said Saifudin who gave only onename.

“The protests should visit me in my office and I will ensuretheir issues are resolved according to rules,” Lone told Greater Kashmir.

Abdur Rahim, who also cannot walk properly because of adamaged ankle said that authorities “are duty bound” to extend the benefits ofvarious schemes to specially-abled persons. The Constitution of India providesfor equality, freedom, justice and dignity for all individuals and implicitlymandates an inclusive society.

“The constitution lays responsibility of empowerment ofdisabled persons on governments. Government has launched various schemes butthe authorities are not able to implement it in Kupwara,” Rahim alleged.

In 2017, state government approved Jammu and Kashmir Rightsof Persons with Disabilities Ordinance, 2017 that increased the number of disabilitiesfrom 7 to 21 for various governmental benefits and reservation in educationalseats and jobs.

In December 2018, the Jammu and Kashmir government announceda scholarship scheme for the state’s specially-abled students.

According to this scheme, meritorious students withdisabilities are supposed to receive a financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh eachyear.

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