No separate directorate, policy for PwDs: DDM
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 18 2022:
The Disable Development Association, Manipur (DDM) celebrated its 16th Foundation Day at the community hall of Samurou Awang Leikai on Thursday.
The celebration was attended by social activist and DDM advisor Dr Kiran Yendrembam, Public Hospital proprietor Md Wahajuddin, IPAK president Ksh Somorendro, UCM secretary general NG Deva Meitei, KSA president S Bidyananda, Manipur State Commission for Women member T Chongsin Koireng and Disability Cell Manipur state L Amarendra Sharma as presidium members.
Delivering the keynote address, DDM general secretary Md Yunus Khan said that the failure of the state government and the ministry concerned to come up with a separate directorate and a state policy for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) is unfortunate as the absence of these two has been creating serious inconvenience to the PwDs.
Although various memorandum were submitted in this regard to authorities concerned, absence of any positive measures has rendered the "inclusive" clause in the RPWD Act-2016 meaningless, he lamented.
In his speech, social activist Kiran Yendrenbam said that PwDs, who are already suffering from economic instability and lack of independence, have been forced to bear a bad name owing to the self-interest acts of some group of people.
Although a disability could be intellectual, neurological, physical, psycholog ical or sensory type, the narrow-minded people who only think about themselves and discriminate others could be regarded as the truly disable ones as they do not believe in inclusivity.
Thus, if any one of the 60 elected representatives of the state were to assist the PwDs sincerely, the RPWD Act-2016 could become more meaningful, he said.
In his address, IPAK president Ksh Somorendro said that those people collecting money in the name of disability are the enemy of the real PwDs.
He then warned that anyone found doing so will not be let off, while adding that he will also stand with the PwDs.