Imphal, July 28 2010: Visiting minister of Youth Affairs and Sports of West Bengal state, Kartrik Ganguli who is also the convener of the All India Co-ordination Committee of Physically Challenged Persons today said that taking up welfare works for the people living with disabilities is a must in the society.

Speaking at a public discussion session held at Manipur Press Club today under the aegis of the Organising Committee of Physically Challenged Persons, Manipur (OCPCPM), the West Bengal minister also observed that everybody should think it as bounden duty to treat physically handicapped people well.

The minister who has been working for the welfare of the physically challenged people for the last 25 years further said that he had performed various welfare works for them but still have lot to do.

Handicapped people in Manipur also facing various problems like in other parts of the country and globe as well.

Parliament had many times discussed on the issues confronting by them but 51 percent of the people with disabilities are still illiterate while 61 percent of them are unemployed.

As per the census report of 2001, 2.1 percent of the total population of the India is people living disabilities.

Out of them 82.86 percent are women.

The number of this group of people is expected to increase to five to six percent in the next census report of 2011, Karktrik Ganguly added.

The discussion on issues held today mainly focused on the issues confronting by the disability people and at the concluding part, it was resolved to demand replacement of Person with Disabilities (PWD) Act 1995 instead of amending it.

Giving his key note address of the state level discussion programme Ksh Shanta of CITU said that persons with disabilities should be given special place in the society.

They should not be look down upon.

The PWD Act which was enacted in 1995 should be replaced by new Act instead of amending it he demanded lamenting that the present Act could give nothing benefits to the people of this category in the country.

The view towards this group of people by the government is need to be changed he demanded citing that a nationwide campaign in this regard will be launched in the near future.

Physically challenged people from the state will also take part in the protest.

Shanta further charged the Manipur government for neglecting the people with disabilities.

Government is not taking up any welfare programme or scheme for them except some NGOs initiative towards them.

A comprehensive education policy should be introduced so that handicapped people can access education properly.

Government should reserve seats for them in the government job recruitment rallies apart from issue of Universal Identity Card so that they can enjoy financial assistances, he demanded.

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