Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association observed World Disability Day as a “black day” by staging a peaceful protest at the Press Enclave in Srinagar on Tuesday.
Holding banners and raising slogans, the protesters called for immediate government action to improve the welfare of the disabled community.
Protesters told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that their demands include launching a special recruitment drive for qualified disabled individuals and revising the reservation system in government jobs from horizontal to vertical.
“We demand an increase in the monthly pension for persons with disabilities from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000, provision of low-interest subsidised loans, and implementation of 4% reservation in MGNREGA works, assemblies, municipalities, and educational institutions,” said a protester.
“We also demand vertical reservation for persons with disabilities rather than horizontal in all government/semi-government jobs and low-interest loans for persons with disabilities, which should be covered under subsidies,” said another protester, adding that they demand MGNREGA and all similar types of work should be made available for the disabled.
The protesters stressed the urgency of implementing these measures as per the provisions of the Disability Act, 2016, and existing government orders. They urged the administration to prioritise their issues to ensure an inclusive society for all—(KNO)
