Specially-abled persons stage protest in Baramulla

Baramulla, Dec 3: In connection with World Disability Day, scores of specially abled persons staged a protest in Baramulla town on Tuesday.

While demanding better facility, an increase in the monthly pension from Rs 1000 to Rs 4000, the protesting specially abled gathered at the Dak Bungalow Baramulla persons under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Associationand and impressed upon the administration to ensure that their genuine demands are met without any delay.

Raising slogans against what they call “discrimination” to the disabled persons, the protesters said that although specially abled persons in other parts of the country are enjoying different perks and better facilities, however, here in the UT of the Jammu and Kashmir, the same group of people are being treated differently.

“In several states of the country, a disabled person gets a pension of Rs 4000, however, same people in the same country are given Rs 1000 as monthly pension,” said one of the protesting specially abled persons.

He said, “dignified life is the right of every citizen of India. However, in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, a specially abled person is being suppressed by not implementing the laws designed for their community.”

We seek the implementation of their long pending demands which include loans at the low interest rate, similar facilities given to some sections of the society including SC and ST, and free medical aid to the disabled community, the protesters said.

“How can a specially abled person getting a monthly pension of Rs 1000 pay an electricity bill of over Rs 1500 per month ? What kind of welfare scheme it is,” said Abdul Rashid, one of the disabled persons, seeking concessions in electricity fees.

While appealing to the authorities to redress their issues on the priority basis, the protesters said that at a time when the world is celebrating the International Day Of Persons With Disabilities, here in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, the specially abled persons, some on wheelchairs, are yelling for the redressal of their problems.

“We hope the people’s Government in power will not let the most neglected lot of the society suffer so immensely. Let there be no discrimination in the implementation of welfare schemes designed for the disabled persons,” said Muneer Ahmad, a disabled person from Bijhama Uri, who came from the Uri to register his protest at Baramulla.