STATE TIMES NEWS
AKHNOOR: Senior Vice President JKPCC and former Minister Sham Lal Sharma on Saturday stressed on the need for more initiatives for the welfare and rehabilitation of physically challenged people, so that they can lead a dignified life. Speaking at a function organised by J&K Disabled Welfare Association to mark World Disability Day at Akhnoor, the former minister said,” Only government efforts are not adequate to address the issues of disabled people. The entire society has to work for their upliftment. They have equal right to live and progress in the society and this can be made possible with the support of all sections”.
Sharma said that state and central governments must pay due attention to the people with disabilities and allocate resources as well as frame policies to support them and ensure their participation in socioeconomic development.
On this occasion, J&K Disabled Welfare Associ-ation expressed resentment against BJP-PDP Govern-ment for not giving due attention to their genuine demands including pension to all disabled persons, timely disbursement of disabled pension, clear pending cases of pension of disabled persons, enhancement of monthly pension from Rs 400 to Rs 8000 per month for persons with 40 per cent and above disability, adequate percentage of reservation, etc.
Responding to the issues of disabled persons of Akhnoor, Sham said that the issues are genuine and will be taken up with the higher authorities of the state government and if required the same will be raised in the forthcoming assembly session for early redressal.
