MSU speaks up for PWDs' rights
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Aizawl, July 13 2014: Mizo Student Union (MSU), one of the largest student bodies in the state, submitted memorandum to the state Chief Minister for full implementation of policies and schemes to be enjoyed by persons with disabilities (PWDs) who remained handicapped from their birth.

MSU leaders told media that as laid down in the 'Persons With Disabilities, Equal Opportunities of Right and Full Participation' Act 1995 (PWD Act, 1995, a memorandum like petition was submitted to the Chief Minister to take initiative for the practical implementation of policies and schemes for partial prosecution of right and privilege for physically handicapped persons.

According to chapter 3 of P.W.D Act, 1995, MSU leaders said a State Co-ordination Committee should be set up to inspect and see the developments and works performed by various departments for the welfare of disabled persons.

Appealing the state government on this, student leaders said the government must set up the Committee in real practice and convene meeting twice a year as is laid down in P.W.D.Act, 1995.Besides, the government should also institute State Executive Committee and convene meeting at least 4 times in a year the same provision of which is mentioned in P.W.D.Act, 1995, MSU leaders added.

Although the government has had nominally set up the above mentioned two committees before the chairpersons, member secretary and committee members were not fairly chosen and committee was not held regularly according to the provision of P.W.D.Act, 1995."We strongly ask the state government to take step and act in accordance with the law", MSU leaders said.

Citing about recruitment for government jobs, MSU leaders told media that the state government has currently disallowed recruitment of disabled persons especially 'totally blind' and 'leg affected' for Group A & B post and any state civil service posts which is an outright infringement of P.W.D Act, Section 33 Ministry of Social Justice And Empowerment, Government of India and Article 14 & 16 'D' of Indian Constitution.

"The state government should review and amend recruitment rules for the disabled in accordance with the 'Gazette' list allowed by Social Justice And Empowerment, Government of India for disabled persons", MSU leaders asked.

The student body urged the government to implement 3 % job reservation for person with disabilities which was earlier in 2013 ordered by the Supreme Court to enforce by all Indian states.

It also demanded that the term and conditions and recruitment rule for the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities be structured properly.

MSU leaders told media that there used to be malpractice in the process of recruitment for disabled persons.

According to them some of the persons who did not have 40 percentage of disability, a minimum criterion prescribed by P.W.D Act, 1995 for recognition of a person as handicapped secretly applied government job with the help of fake medical certificate.

"As regard this we asked the state government to frame proper rules and regulation for issuance of medical certificate", MSU urged.

The student body further came out with a proposal that the Social Welfare Department under government of Mizoram must set up vocational training centers for persons with disabilities for sustainable and reliable jobs.

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