Kanchan, Pasted below the notification on MPLADS funds for "physically challenged persons". As far as I know already a group representing people with mental disabilities met the concerned minister on inclusion of other disabilities on this issue. Unless all disability groups work together, playing with words and its interpretations, whether purposely done or not, will continue.
Shampa Sengupta Sruti Disability Rights Centre Kolkata Date: Sat, 7 May 2011 15:53:51 +0530 Subject: MPLAD Funds From: [email protected] To: Dear Friends Please find below a release of May 6, 2011 of the Press Information Bureau regarding extension of MPLADS for "physically challenged" persons. This is being sent for your information Muralidharan National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled MPLAD Funds, for giving Assistance to The Physically Challenged Persons The Government of India has recently decided, to increase the annual entitlement of MPLAD funds of Members of Parliament, from Rs. 2 crores to Rs. 5 crores. This necessitates, a re-look at the entire gamut of operational guidelines and modalities, governing the implementation of the MPLAD Scheme, in order to make them simpler, more user friendly, and to ensure that MPs can use the annual fund, in a useful manner, to fulfil the urgent needs, at the grass root level in time every year. Dr. M. S. Gill, Minister of Statistics & Programme Implementation, is keen to take a pro-active stand, to ensure timely, and fruitful utilisation of MPLAD funds, and is looking to create, a wider basket of eligible items, so that MPs have a larger choice of projects, which can be implemented through their MPLAD fund. Government has received representations, requesting that MPs be allowed to spend some MPLAD funds, in assisting physically challenged people. It has been argued, that physically challenged persons face severe hardships, and it is the general policy of Government of India, to take all possible steps, to ameliorate their condition. The issue has been considered at length, in this Ministry. It is felt, that it would be appropriate, to allow Members of Parliament, as public representatives, to spend some of their MPLAD funds, in assisting the physically handicapped in this country, towards a better life, as a mark of their concern. Government is aware that Item No. 11, of Annexure II, of the current MPLAD Guidelines, prohibits assistance to individuals. After consideration, it has been decided, that this condition be relaxed, in favour of physically challenged persons only, keeping in view the larger public good. It is, accordingly directed, that henceforth, MPs will be allowed to spend a maximum of Rs. 10.00 (Ten) lakhs per year, from their MPLAD funds, for giving assistance to the physically challenged. In order to ensure, that the fund is properly spent, it has been decided that such assistance be given* only for the purchase of tri-cycles and artificial limbs, for differently abled persons.* Directions have been issued, that all applications for such assistance will be examined and approved, by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the district, to ensure proper eligibility. The district authorities, under the District Collector / Deputy Commissioner, will also be fully involved in the selection of such eligible persons. This change will come into effect from 1st of June, 2011. On Fri, Jun 3, 2011 at 8:05 AM, Kanchan Pamnani <[email protected]>wrote: > I read somewhere, probably on this list, that the amount spent by the MPs > on disabled would be increased. I think this published news also used the > word"physically". We better work towards correcting the word now before it > becomes an issue like the railways concession. > > Will someone please post the circular/notification or whatever so that we > can take action now. > > Thanks > Kanchan > Search for old postings at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > > To unsubscribe send a message to > [email protected] > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, > please visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in > > Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
