November 25, 2011 * *
*Press Release* * * The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) is conducting a nation-wide signature campaign on some specific issues before the disabled. In this connection programmes were organized in several state headquarters and district centres today. In Delhi a NPRD delegation met the Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Mukul Wasnik and submitted a memorandum today. Former Member of Parliament, Brinda Karat accompanied the delegation. The Minister gave a patient hearing and assured the delegation that appropriate measures will be taken soon. *Muralidharan* *Assistant Convenor* *NPRD* The full text of the memorandum is given below. * * *Shri Mukul Wasnik* *Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment* *Government of India* *Dear Shri Wasnikji,* * * 1. *BPL Census: *We are shocked at the non-inclusion of disabled persons in the automatic inclusion category for the 2011 BPL census being conducted by the Ministry for Rural Development. Even more shocking is the non-intervention of the MSJ&E in the matter, despite the Supreme Court order of May 2, 2003 clearly laying down that the disabled have to be listed in the automatic inclusion category for Antodaya benefits. We therefore demand that all disabled persons should be provided with BPL cards. 2. *Disability Allowance: *Currently, under the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) the Central Government provides an assistance of Rs. 200/- per month per beneficiary. The amount being given to the beneficiaries differs from state to state. In some states it is as low as Rs. 200/- whereas in some it is Rs. 1200/- In the light of ever increasing cost of living, the central allocation per beneficiary has to be raised to Rs. 500/- and the states asked to provide a matching amount so that each beneficiary receives at least Rs. 1000/- per month. The criteria/norms/rules for receiving this allowance also vary from state to state. They also have to be made uniform. 3. *Universally Valid Identity Card: *There should be one universally valid identity card. This card should be issued by the village/taluka offices and delivered at the residence of the disabled within seven days of the receipt of an application. Multiplicity of cards/certificates hinders the disabled from seeking benefits. *4. **Reservations -- Filling of Backlogs: *There is no correct data available on the backlog in vacancies for the disabled in various departments. Special drives have to be launched by all departments to clear the backlogs. ** * * Jobs for persons with different disabilities should be identified, reviewed and updated. These have to be notified and filled by central and state government departments and PSU’s within a stipulated time frame. The Ministry should create a monitoring mechanism for this purpose. We hope you will give due consideration to these demands and take appropriate steps to implement them. Yours sincerely Sd/- *(Abdul Mabood) (Pankaj Sinha)* *Snehi HRLN* * * *(Shampa Sengupta) (Muralidharan)* *SDRC NPRD * Signatory Organisations: 1. Differently-Abled Welfare Federation, Kerala 2. Haryana Viklang Adhikar Manch, Haryana 3. Himachal Viklang Adhikar Manch, Himachal Pradesh 4. Human Rights Law Network, New Delhi 5. Jharkhand Viklang Morcha, Jharkhand 6. Karnataka Rajya Angavikalara Mattu Palakara Okkota, Karnataka 7. Manipur Rights for the Disabled, Manipur 8. NPRD, Andhra Pradesh 9. Platform for Rights of Disabled, Orissa 10. Paschimbanga Rajya Pratibandhi Sammilani, West Bengal 11. Snehi, Delhi 12. Sruti Disability Rights Centre, West Bengal 13. Tamilnadu Assn for the Rights of Differently-Abled & Caregivers 14. Viklang Adhikar Manch, Gujarat 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
