Will support party that assures to prioritize issues of disabled community: SPDPO
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 05 2024:
State Platform of Disability People Organisation (SPDPO) Manipur, chief advisor Dr Sapam Jashobanta has asserted that the organisation will support the political party that assures to prioritize the issues of the disabled community in the forthcoming Lok Sabha Election.
Addressing a press conference today at Manipur Press Club, Dr Sapam Jashobanta asserted that SPDPO will stand behind the political party that will prioritise and address the issues of the disabled community ranging from budgetary allocation to health insurance, accessibility, economic participation, sports, education, etc.
He also pointed out that as per the Election Commission of India, there are more than one crore persons with disabilities (PwDs) in India and about 14,000 (PwDs) in Manipur.
Dr Jashobanta continued that a memorandum listing 10 demands of the disabled community was submitted yesterday at the offices of all the National & Regional Political Parties in the State.
He shared that the demands included increasing the total budget allocation for PwDs to 5 percent; announcing a policy promoting affordable & accessible health insurance and a scheme in line with Ayushman Bharat for PwDs; increasing monthly pension for PwDs under National Social Assistance Programme; amendment of Article 15 to include the word disability, 5 percent reservation in Governance; and introduction of "Access to Work" scheme & inclusion of PwDs in MSME programme.
Dr Jashobanta further mentioned that the disabled community will unanimously support the political party that will prioritise the rights & needs of PwDs and include them in their policy agenda/manifesto.