Plight of PwDs aired at Lungkao village discourse
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 22 2021: The total number of voters enrolled in electoral rolls of Manipur with disability mark remains only 8,000 and hence need a thorough assessment of number of unmarked disabled persons in electoral rolls and disabled brothers and sisters who are yet to be enrolled in electoral rolls, stated HD Foundation, Manipur chairman Dr Sapam Jasobanta.

Jasobanta said this during an awareness programme on "The rights and importance of the participation of people with disabilities in upcoming election' organised by office of the chief electoral officer, Manipur in coordination with Handicapped Development (HD) Foundation, Manipur and State Platform of Disable Peoples Organisation, Manipur at Lungkao village in Tamenglong district on Sunday.

The Government recognised only seven types of disabilities under the earlier Disabilities Act but the types of disabled persons increased to 21 since the coming of Right to Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and this indeed is very fortunate for disabled persons, Jasobanta said during the awareness programme.

The state having only 8,000 voters with disability mark could be due to missing out while marking and non-inclusion in electoral rolls, Jasobanta said, adding that families particularly BLOs should carry out proper assessment on the matter and families should also make effort to ensure that disabled members get disability mark during enrolment.

State Platform of Disabled People's Organisation, Manipur president Md Yunus Khan, who also attended the awareness programme, said that many disabled persons living in Nungkao village were found not getting government benefits due to non-possession of Aadhar card and this indeed was very unfortunate.

He then urged village authority to help disabled persons in getting Aadhar card to ensure that disabled persons living in the village enjoy their entitled rights and benefits.

The awareness programme was also attended by village authority leaders and villagers.

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