Former MLC and J&K BJP spokesperson Girdhari Lal Raina has urged the Omar Abdullah-led NC government to address the long-pending issues faced by differently-abled persons in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at a press conference in Jammu, Girdhari Lal Raina, Spokesperson, J&K BJP accompanied by Balbir Ram Rattan, Spokesperson, and Dr. Pardeep Mahotra, Media Incharge, J&K BJP, was addressing media persons in a press conference at party headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu.
It is unfortunate that so called popular government now in place for around four months has no time to listen to this vulnerable and reliant section of our population and they have to stage protests to be heard, GL Raina expressed.
These differently abled persons are demanding what is their right under the constitution, he added.
Recalling how the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD Act 2016) was implemented after a long delay post 2019, Raina elicited that the Rules for this law were notified by the Lieutenant Governor on March 15, 2021.
The law ensures equal opportunities, care, protection, maintenance, welfare, training and rehabilitation of the persons with disabilities and prescribes to constitute a dedicated fund meant for the Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). The UT government has failed to constitute that fund, GL Raina pointed out.
Asking for enhancement of the Integrated Social security pension which in various states and union territories is 5000 to 15000 but in J&K the ISSS is just Rs 1000 for past one decade. The rising prices have decreased affordability for high support needs and Psychiatry and epileptic medicines, he added.
Unfortunately, this meagre amount is being denied to disabled persons from the Displaced community, Raina informed.
Pleading for immediate opening of a special school for mentally challenges and autistic kids after ASHA – run by Army Wives Welfare Association stands closed. Parents of such kids have to face a lot of difficulties in educating and making their children independent in such a situation.
In spite of the fact that J&K has 4 percent reservation for physically challenged persons, the recent 6 provisional selection and final selection lists looks to have ignored them. The RPwD Act provides for reservation in jobs as well as promotions and needs to be implemented in true spirit of the law, BJP spokesperson asserted.
Demanding that the Government shall ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the right to equality, life with dignity and respect and for this it is important to address the issue of accessibility in buildings, public places, and transport etc. Painfully it needs to underline that even public toilets are not Disable friendly.
Assuring BJP’s full support to persons with disabilities, Raina appealed people to appreciate the problems faced by these noble human beings. He further appealed people to join the Mela for Disabled being organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in Gulshan Ground from 14th February.
