Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 23 2009:
On the demand of reserving seats for the disabled persons in the recruitment of primary teachers under Autonomous District Council, All Tribal Disabled Union, Manipur (ATDUM) has warned of imposing indefinite economic blockade along National Highway 39 if the authorities concerned do not give a positive response to its rightful demand.
Addressing a press conference in this connection at its Chingmeirong office here today, ATDUM president Momo Tantanga pointed out that inspite of the provisions laid down in the Indian Constitution as well as under Disability Act for providing 3 percent of the seats reserved for persons with disabilities, the same is yet to be implemented by the Government in Manipur.
As the notification issued by the Under Secretary (Hills) on September 1 in connection with recruitment of primary teachers under the Autonomous District Council did not mention anything about the reservation of seats for persons with disabilities, the Union has boycotted the recruitment process, Momo informed.
Over and above this, a 48-hour chakka bandh had also been called in all the hill districts with effect from 4 am of September 13, he added.
Subsequently, at the invitation of the Government, the representatives of the Union had met Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii on September 15 .
During the said meeting, the Minister had given his assurance of considering the demand of the Union in addition to arriving at an understanding, he recalled.
However, instead of translating the assurance of the Minister into action, the Govt has been trying to sideline the rightful demands of the Union, he lamented.
So if the authorities concerned do not give a positive response to the demand by October 3, the Union would be constraint to launch an indefinite economic blockade along the National Highway 39 from the following day, Momo warned.