District level meeting on 'Disability rights' conducted
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, October 03 2021: Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) (a division of socio-legal information centre) in collaboration with Senapati Disabled People's Association Manipur (SDPAM) organised a district level meeting on 'the disability rights' at SDPAM office Bal Kendra district headquarters Senapati on Saturday.

Addressing the gathering, Meihoubam Rakesh from HRLN spoke on "legal provisions on disability rights" and said that there are different provisions for disability persons enshrined in Indian constitution; however it could not be implemented effectively.

He said earlier, there were only 7 types of identified disability but now the Government of India has identified up to 21 types of disability while adding that persons with disability need to explore different schemes and reservations provided by the Government both Central and State.

District level meeting on 'Disability rights' conducted

Rakesh highlighted the various facilities available under the Disability Act 2016 which includes free education below 18 years of age both in Government and private Government aided schools, job reservation, right to get easy accessibility in every Government building, to have guardian for mental disability, State Government to set up separate Court for disability and others.

He also mentioned that the programme was organized to collect information from the disabled persons on whether the schemes provided by the Government are properly implemented.

J Hillson Angam from HRLN spoke on "health, education, employment and accessibility rights of the disabled persons".

He stated that HRLN has filed various PIL cases on behalf of the public and disability in the State.

HRLN has raised various issues to the State Government in regard to facilities for the disabled persons.

Thokchom Premlata from HRLN spoke on "welfare schemes for disabled persons''.

She advised the SDPAM members to approach them for any grievances and highlighted the various welfare schemes for the disabled persons from the social welfare department; Indira Gandhi disabled welfare scheme, marriage incentive, district hospital helpline, health card, JSSK, PMMVY and others.

Later, an interaction was also held with the participants wherein SDPAM members shared various grievances faced in different offices while processing their office work to avail the facilities.

The programme was chaired by L Rebika Chanu while vote of thanks was proposed by Carolin Kasar.

It was also attended by Senapati Disabled People's Association Manipur members, HRLN members and others.