ATDUM to file PIL against deprivation of rights
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 15, 2013: Peeved by the false assurances of the State government, All Tribal Disabled Union Manipur (ATDUM) is all set to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Manipur High Court against deprivation of the rights of disabled people.

Addressing media persons here today, President of ATDUM, Momo Tantanga said that as per an official order issued by State Chief Secretary DS Poonia in 2010, the certificates for disabled persons in the case of tribal people are to be issued at the level of Primary Health Centre.

However, such an official order of the State government has not been effected till date.

He stated that the certificates for disabled people are still issued by Social Welfare Department after conducting medical tests at JNIMS Hospital.

The disabled people in the interior hill villages face lots of problems while travelling up to Imphal to receive the certificates.

The authorities concerned have remained silent over this issue despite of several reminders, Momo lamented.

The president further highlighted that the doctors have still not been posted to their respective CHCs and also the pavements for wheel-chair which are mandatory at all government buildings including hospitals and schools are not constructed in any of the government building in the State in violation of Chapter 8 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1955 .

The Mini Secretariats which are under construction in the hill districts of the state also lack the facility of wheel-chair pavement.

The State government has totally neglected the rights of the disabled people and so the Union is compelled to file a PIL at the High Court, Momo asserted.

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