IMPHAL, December 3: Unfortunately, the post for a separate commissioner for the disabled persons remains vacant in our state. So the schemes for their welfare and development still remains underdeveloped, said Amu Kamei president of Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland) today.
He was speaking at Manipur Press Club during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Amu Kamei observed that the failure of the Social Welfare department to submit its survey reports of disabled persons in time has resulted in the disabled’s failure to avail of the essential benefits and support introduced by the government.
During a meeting with the director of National Handicapped at New Delhi, he said he had discussed the policies already introduced by the central government for the disabled.
Such policies are to be taken up under the nodal agency of Social Welfare and a separate commissioner for disabled in every state, he continued before adding that in stark contrast, there is no commissioner for disabled in Manipur, which is one of the main reasons for the lack of development of the disabled persons.
He further appealed to the society that it is not the responsibility of only the parents but for the whole society to help and support them.
Ng Ibothoi Singh, Employment Officer, Imphal West said according to a UN record 15 percent of a billion populations is disabled.
In the context of Manipur as per recorded in 2001 census, there are 28370 disabled persons, he continued.
Only 64 percent of them or 18069 persons are issued with disable certificates, he said before adding that the number might be increased by more than 30/40 thousands during the recent census survey report 2011, which is yet to be released.
Though the commissioner is missing in the state, the Social Welfare director has been looking after the works, he said.
He observed, the state has two special schools for the disabled, including the school of deaf and mute at Takyelpat which is a residential school having upto Class X and each student is given a monthly allowance of Rs 750.
There is reservation too in the recruitment of employment that for every 33 candidate one is reserved for disable person, he said. Sixty seven differently abled persons have been selected in the UPSC conducted combined civil services examination since 2011, of which only 11 have been provided their places of posting, whereas the remaining are yet to be given their postings, he said.
Dr. Sapam Jasowanta Singh, secretary general, Handicapped Development (HD) Foundation also stressed on the necessity for handicapped persons to be brought into the mainstream and to include them in the development of the society.
He lamented till now the state government have not reflected a separate budget for disable persons and appointed a full time commissioner.
We must work hard make disable person to be equal to the normal person he added.
During today’s function a web site www.hdfmanipur.org was launched inviting suggestion and information regarding disabled persons.
Later the Handicapped Development (HD) Foundation, Manipur awarded 23 individuals with cash incentives in different fields of contribution.
The inaugural function of the month long observation of Welfare for the Handicappedwhich will continue till January 4, 2014, was attended by Ng. Ibothoi Singh, Employment Officer Imphal West; Wangkhemcha Shamjai, president, AMWJU; Dr Y Mani Khuman, president, AMUCO; Y Nabachandra, president, UCM; Amu Kamei, president, Zeliangrong Union and Dr h. Rupachandra Singh, chairman, HD Foundation Manipur as presidential members.
The function was organized by HD Foundation, Manipur in association with World Vision India (Imphal West- ADP) and AMDAPHDA, Manipur as part of the observation of “International Day of Persons With Disabilities” which is being held on December 3, every year under the theme “Break Barriers, Open doors for an inclusive society for all” being adopted this year.
Meanwhile, the Manipur State Legal Services Authority in collaboration with Deaf & Mute School, Takyel of Imphal West district also observed the “Disability Day” at the said school premises.
Retired justice of Gauhati High Court, Maibam Binoykumar Singh who is presently director, Manipur Judicial Academy, Takyel, K Tuleshwar Singh, headmaster, Deaf & Mute School, Takyel, A Guneshwar Sharma, District & Sessions Judge, Manipur East and Chandam Brajachand Singh, member secretary, Manipur State Legal Services Authority were present at the said observance as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.
Dr Ch Narendra Singh, advocate and Ch Momon Singh, advocate were present as resource persons and delivered speeches on Rights of Differently Abled Persons and Rights to Education for children.
Meanwhile, the World Disabled Day, 2013, was also observed at the Lai-Achouba Mandop Kumbi Mayai Leikai today under the theme “Break Barriers Open Doors for Inclusive Society” .
The observation was attended by Kumbi MLA Sanasam Bira Singh as chief guest, while District Social Welfare Officer, Bishnupur, Arambam Kameshwar attended as the function president and Executive Editor of Imphal Free Press, M Dhanabir Meetei; Upa Adhaksya Bisnupur-Amom Brojen; chairperson Kumbi Nagar Panchayat-Moirangthem Bineshor Singh, attended the function as guests of honour.
Councillors and members of Kumbi Nagar Panchayat were also present during the observation.
Addressing the gathering, Sanasam Bira exhorted the parents and guardians against hiding their different-abled wards but instead openly declare their conditions. Disability is not a curse, he said adding that what they need is care and support.
He also assured possible helps from his part to the differently able besides other facilities provided by the government.
The Executive Editor of Imphal Free Press, M Dhanabir, observed that organising the day was not enough rather it was time that the entire nation needs to pledged to give every care and support to the different-abled in every walks of their life.
Marking the day, a music video album dedicated to differently able entitled “World Disable Day” was released by the chief guest.
The album was directed by Dr Huidrom Romen and produced by N Iboton, Secretary- Society for Disable Person Kumbi.
