AMUDO demands welfare policy, serves ultimatum
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 31 2013:
Pressing the State Government to appoint Disable Commissioner and introduce a policy for differently abled people in the State, All Manipur United Disables' Organisation (AMUDO) has served an ultimatum to the Government giving one month's time for implementing these demands.
Speaking to media persons in this connection at the Nagaram office of All Tribal Disables Union Manipur's (ATDUM) here today, Chairman of AMUDO T Romeo pointed out that though the State Cabinet had given approval to appointment of Disable Commissioner three months ago, the process for appointment has not yet been started till date, thus causing lot of inconveniences while taking up welfare programmes for differently abled people in Manipur.
Romeo stated that almost all the differently abled people do not have any source of income of their own and, thus, they lead a life of penury.
In comparison with other countries, differently abled people in India are neglected.
The State as well as the Central government do not provide sufficient support to them.
So, introduction of a welfare policy for the differently abled people is a must.
If the State Government does not appoint the Disable Commissioner on or before February last (28th February, 2013), AMUDO would launch various agitations across the state, Romeo announced.
He pointed out that in the last 1-2 years, many cases of assaults on handicapped people have occurred and these incidents indicate that physically challenged people are no more safe in Manipur.
Furthermore, Romeo maintained that the State Platform for Disable Peoples' jointly formed by 9 (Nine NGOs) under the leadership of Secretary of Handicapped Development Foundation, S Jasowanta is against the resolution taken by AMUDO in November, and AMUDO does not recognize it.
As per a decision taken by members of AMUDO, Jasowanta had been expelled from the organization, he said.