Disable in India-control Kashmir call for gov't support

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Disabled in India-controlled Kashmir call for gov't support - People's Daily Online, December 04, 2009

A group of physically challenged persons in Indian-controlled Kashmir Thursday evening staged a candle light protest demonstration to highlight their problems on the World Disability Day.

The members took organized a sit-in demonstration amid burning candles and holding placards in a public park at the heart of Srinagar city, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir to impress upon the local government to address their grievances.

"We demand proper infrastructure so that we can prove ourselves. We're able to do anything in case you give us proper environment. We are asking for special schools for the people with different kinds of disabilities. Our concern is to see all the buildings, transport, parks and other places in the region barrier-free," said Shahleel Ahmad, a disabled person.

According to census of India report 2001, the population of disabled in India-controlled Kashmir is 300,000, 3 percent of the total population. However, the non-governmental organizations put the figure somewhere around 800,000.

The members of the disability community in the region allege government apathy for their plight. There are no special schools for the disabled people in the region.

The Social Welfare Department officials maintain that they are providing a monthly disability pension of 9 U.S. dollars to disabled persons registered with their department.

But the activists say government assistance reaches only to the handful.

"As per government figures only 58,000 people get this meager assistance," said Javed Ahmad Tak, an activist fighting for the cause of disabled in the region.

Tak is running a NGO, Humanity Welfare Organization, catering to the educational needs of physically challenged children in Anantnag.

Earlier the day, members of Handicapped Association were baton charged and detained by police while they tried to present a memorandum to a United Nations Office in Srinagar.

The members are eager to seek attention of UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, for early implementation of rights of disabled in the conflict hit India-controlled Kashmir.

The members were shouting anti-government slogans and accused region's Social Welfare Ministry of breaking its promises made to them from time to time.

"Our demands include implementation of reservations rules in favor of handicapped, enhancement of monthly disability pension from 400 to 1,500 rupees a month, free education to children of disabled up to university level, loans at low interest rates, separate counters in government and semi-government offices, reservation for handicapped employees in promotion quota, allotment of residential plots and shops, 50 percent concession in electricity fees, re-advertisement of backlog vacancies," said Mukthar Ahmad, a community member.

Experts in the region underline the importance of survey in the region to know the exact data about the nature and number of disability affected people.

"There is a need to undertake a survey in order to collect the data in respect of the disabled persons district wise in the region. We are hopeful to start it soon and complete it within a stipulated time so that we can design possible solutions on need basis," said Sakina Itoo, Minister of Social Welfare in Indian-controlled Kashmir while addressing a function on World Disability Day.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2006 is also pending in the region's High Court seeking of emphasis on social and medical rehabilitation for the disabled persons.

Every year on Dec. 3, World Disability Day is observed to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

Source: Xinhua