Khasi Disabilities Association
SHILLONG: Miffed over the lack of response from the Chief Minister to meet the Khasi Disabilities Association and discuss their grievances, many members of the Khasi Disabilities Association gathered on Thursday at 11 am in the Parking lot opposite SBI to take out a rally, as their pleas for appointments were not responded by the Chief Minister.
On Thursday, as they were ready to take out a rally to march to the Secretariat, the authorities quickly contacted the Government which later gave them audience.
Khasi Disabilities Association General Secretary Ibadalin Kharbuli said that the Association had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister about their problems in 2011 and he assured that the demands would be met but many of the assurances have not been fulfilled till date.
“We are not saying that CM has not done anything but something more and concrete needs to be done for us,” she said
Later, the Khasi Disabilities Association submitted a charter of various demands and met the Social Welfare Department Minister Deborah Marak for airing their various grievances.
The KDA President Starwin Kharjana said that the Meghalaya Transport Corporation has been directed to charge nominal rates for Persons with Disabilities, yet the JNNURM refuses to comply and even fails to accept and recognize the Identification card issued by the Social Welfare Department.
The Association also asked the State Government to fully implement 3% (three percent) of the Reservation Policy for Persons with Disabilities as announced by the Central Government through the PWD ACT, 1995.
According to them, citizens are provided with special quota for BPL rice, kerosene oil, sugar and other benefits and the same should be extended to the Persons with Disabilities besides demanding the Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) cards for the people with disabilities.
The Association has also demanded that the unemployment allowance must be increased from Rs 500 to 5000 per month for the disabled persons who had cleared class ten and above till they secure guaranteed government jobs and the age bar from 32 to 42 years as per the PWD Act, 1995.
The Association is also of the view that the Government derives ways and means for reservations of seats for Persons with Disabilities in all educational institutions as such persons though handicapped are excelling at various levels and also to establish separate schools and colleges with less admission fees and other fees and to grant a monthly scholarship and revise and update it accordingly.
During the meeting, the minister assured that the Government will take all the measures to fulfill their legitimate demands.