Calls for Urgent Action on Pending Disability Demands
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Former Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Vice-President, Sham Lal Sharma, expressed the unwavering commitment of the BJP government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to provide support to all segments of society, with a special emphasis on improving the conditions of the poor, needy, and disabled individuals.
Speaking at an event organized as part of ‘World Disabled Day’ by the All Jammu and Kashmir Disabled Welfare Trust in Akhnoor on Sunday, under the chairmanship of Trust Chairman Sushil Sharma, Sham Lal addressed the audience as the chief guest.
The Trust Chairman highlighted the challenges faced by differently-abled people during the programme.
Sham Lal commended the efforts of everyone gathered to celebrate ‘Divyang Diwas,’ a day dedicated to honoring this significant section of society.
Sham Lal specifically praised the Trust management for organizing the event on a day dedicated to disabled persons while ensuring basic facilities for differently-abled individuals.
On this occasion Chairman J&K Disable Welfare Association Sushil Sharma expressed their serious resentment against govt for not giving due attention to their genuine demands which are lying pending.
During the function demands put forth regarding currently, the Social Welfare Department is disbursing a pension of Rs. 1000 per month, which is insufficient to meet the needs of disabled individuals. Therefore, a request is made to increase the pension to Rs. 5000 per month.
The Composite Regional Centre, sanctioned in July 2013, has been allotted land in Vil. Baddlan near AHMS Vijaypur (Samba). The rented building has been acquired, but it has not yet been made functional at the proposed site.
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, has already established a separate Department known as the Department of Disability Affairs.
A similar separate department for disabled people is requested to be created to address the issues faced by this community effectively.
The Rehabilitation Council of India Act 1992 and the Mental Health Care Act 2017, along with 206 Acts, were extended on 5th August 2019. However, the notification for the implementation of these acts has not been issued yet. The RCI Act 1992 regulates training courses in the field of rehabilitation and special education, while the Mental Health Care Act 2017 focuses on providing mental health care for persons with mental illness. These acts are crucial for the disabled community, and their prompt implementation is requested.
Sham Sharma said that the issues are genuine and will be taken up with the concerned authorities.