SHILLONG: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishan Pal Gurjar, has taken exception to the reports of the failure of the Meghalaya Government to implement the reservation policy for people with disability, and stated that he would seek a report from the State Government on the issue.
“We will seek a clarification from the Meghalaya Government on the reports about the poor implementation of the reservation policy for the people with disability,” Gurjar said while talking to news persons after distributing kits, books and other items to disabled students at the Bethany Society here on Thursday.
It may be mentioned that as per RTI findings, just 15 persons with disability have been recruited by the Meghalaya Government since the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act was implemented in 1995.
This is a clear reflection of the failure of the State Government to provide employment to persons with disabilities since under the Act, at least 3 per cent of all Government jobs must be reserved for them.
The Union MoS also informed that a new Bill would be introduced in the winter session of Parliament to hike the 3 per cent reservation for the disabled to 5 per cent.
Gurjar advised the State Government to create a separate department for the disabled to ensure that the benefits provided by the Centre could be streamlined.
Informing that as per the 2011 census, there are 2.68 crore persons with disabilities in the country, the minister said just 49 per cent of this population have received their disability certificates.
“I would urge the State Government to conduct a special drive so that all persons with disabilities get their certificates,” he said.
