All Tribal disables' Union Manipur (ATDUM) decries
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 01 2012:
Rather than implementing Government of India's directive regarding modalities for issuance of certificates to people with disabilities, the state Government has been insisting that such documents be issued by conducting health camps, said All Tribal disables' Union Manipur (ATDUM) president Momo Tantanga.
Addressing the media at Manipur Press Club today, Momo informed that the Ministry of social Justice and Empowerment, invoking Persons with Disabilities Act 1995, instructed the States that besides providing treatment facilities to persons with disabilities at primary health centres, community health centres or district hospitals such medical centres issue documents in support of physical deformities to deserving individuals.
However, in defiance of the Central Government's directive, Social Welfare Department, which is the State's implementing agency, is insisting that certificates of disability be distributed after conducting health camps, maintained Momo while adding that the Department organised a medical camp on November 8 at Ukhrul town.
Describing the health camp as irrelevant, he also informed that ATDUM had been boycotting disability assessment camps for last many months in protest against the Government of Manipur's failure to release pending unemployment allowance to persons with disabilities.
Momo also condemned false accusations against the Union by one Chungmi Ragui, who claimed to be Ukhrul branch president of the Union, and Indigenous Mothers' Association president Tamreiwon Zimik.
While declaring that Chungmi has nothing to do with the Union, Momo also sought clarification from the so-called Indigenous Mothers' Association on its activities or location.