SHILLONG: The Khasi Disability Association (KDA) has slammed the State Government for its alleged indifferent attitude towards the differently-abled people.
Alleging discrimination at every step, the Association said it will write to the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, New Delhi and the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment besides the Meghalaya Governor airing its grievances.
From job opportunities to facilities under various schemes, the KDA said that the disabled are being denied of all that is rightfully theirs.
Talking to newsmen here on Tuesday, KDA president Starwin Kharjana said that it was extremely unfortunate that the Government had failed to give priority to the differently-abled people when it came to jobs and other facilities.
Kharjana pointed out that out of the 330 vacancies in Government departments which were recommended for appointment by the District Selection Committee (DSC), East Khasi Hills, only three differently-abled people were hired even though 3 per cent of the seats are reserved for them under the PWD Act 1995, Chapter VI, section 33.
“The disabled have also been denied the benefits under the Chief Minister’s Social Assistance Scheme and the scholarship for differently-abled students, applications for which were submitted to the Social Welfare department in 2014, were delayed causing undue hardship,” Kharjana said.
The Association members also pointed out that according to the PWD Act 1995 Chapter III, section 13 (f), the State Coordination Committee should have five differently-abled members but none have been appointed so far.
The Association also alleged that the Social Welfare department misplaced the unemployment allowance papers (for 2014-15) of two differently-abled people depriving them of the benefit.
Kharjana added that only nine differently-abled persons have been issued permits out of the 4238 issued by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), East Khasi Hills as against the actual 3 percent reservation which totals to 126 permits.
Seng Kynthei slammed for opposing differently-abled person’s appointment
Meanwhile, the Association has taken exception to a letter of the Seng Kynthei of Mawlaiteng village addressed to the Sub Divisional Officer of School Education opposing the appointment of a differently-abled officiating teacher, Aidalin Nongrang at Mawlaiteng Government Lower Primary School.
“The letter is an insult to the differently-abled people,” Kharjana said.
While stating that the opposition by the Seng Kynthei and one Sanborly Wahlang, was unacceptable, Kharjana said that as per the Government order of January 25, 2012, a differently-abled person is eligible for appointment as a teacher in the higher secondary, secondary, upper primary and lower primary schools.
Informing that the matter was taken up with the Principal Secretary in-charge Education, he said that the association stood firmly behind Nongrang.
The Association has also demanded the immediate removal of Joyshree Shabong, District Social Welfare Officer, East Jaintia Hills for terminating the service of one Fullgen Pala, who has low vision, without any reason. Pala had been working as a MRW in Khliehriat Block for six months.
