'Differently Abled persons not getting benefits as MD fails to issue certificates in time'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 03 2015:
Social Welfare Department, Manipur Director L Nabakishore on Thursday stated the differently abled persons in the State have not been getting Government provided benefits as Medical Directorate has failed to issue disability certificates in time.
He was speaking at a function on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities which was observed around the globe on Thursday.
Attending the function held at Kangsang, Khuman Lampak as President, L Nabakishore revealed that the Social Welfare Department has been receiving complaints from differently abled persons of not getting the benefits provided by the Government.
"Various schemes meant for the differently abled persons have been provided by the Government and they have the right to enjoy the benefits only when they produce the certificates," said L Nabakishore.
He blamed the Medical Directorate for issuing of disability certificates late.
He also mentioned that disability certificates were issued in time when the Social Welfare Department was given the task before.
According to the 2011 census report, around 54,110 differently abled persons live in Manipur.
Social Welfare Department has been continuously providing benefits for these persons at various fields.
Schemes such as Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) have been implemented and various incentives are also provided for the differently abled persons, added the Director.
Principal Secretary of Social Welfare Department, Manipur SK Dev Barman who attended the function as Chief Guest said that every differently abled person has the right to live and enjoy given rights in a society.
"They are also the citizens of the country and they should be encouraged instead of looking down on them", said SK Dev Barman.
The function was also attended by Manipur Commission for Protection of Child rights Chairperson S Saratkumar and World Wide Peace Organisation founder Sagar Parashri.
Differently abled persons who attended the function were also presented with clothes by the Social Welfare Department.