‘New Act has given teeth to rights of people with disabilities’

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 13

The two-day residential awareness programme on Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, came to an end today at Hotel Tampha, North AOC.

Commissioner, R.K. Kumarjit Singh attending the closing day function as chief guest, said that the new charter of rights has many new changes. As for instance, there is reservation from 3 per cent to 4 per cent in employment, 4per cent to 5 per cent in higher education among others, he said.

“It will do away social stigma of shame and inferiority complex among PWD”, he added.

He highlighted one of the main difference is that the previous Act had only eight classifications and the new has a total of 21 categories of disability. Special disabilities like dwarfism, learning disorder, acid attack victims are added in this new category.

The commissioner hoped that the situation of PWDs will be better in the state as the head of the government, chief minister N. Biren Singh, is really concerned about people with disabilities and he has also declared some good initiatives.

President of State Platform of Disabled People’s Organisation Manipur (SPDPO), Md. Yunus Khan said that the awareness programme was organised by SPDPO and funded by Manipur North Economic Development Association (MANEDA), Shishu Sarothi, Guwahati and Light for the World of Christoffel Development Cooperation.

The function was also attended by director of Shishu Sarothi, Arman Ali, legal advisor to Shishu Sarothi, Ambalika Senapati, advisor to SPDPO, Sapam Jasobanta and chairman of MANEDA, Peter Hongnamei attended the function as presidium members.

Child welfare officer, department of social welfare, L. Dhaneshwor, in his presentation yesterday said that the new Act provides for setting up a special court and a special prosecutor for differently abled persons when any one needs legal service in seeking justice.

He also said that under section 25 of the Act, free health care and special provision are reserved for people from rural areas.

He mentioned Section 47 which provides equal pay for equal work, non-discrimination in government employments and to dodge promotion denial.

Director of social welfare, Jacintha Lazarus inaugurated the workshop as chief guest yesterday and advisor to SPDPO, Dr. Sapam Jasobanta was guest of honour.

The workshop was attended by five representatives from each district and organisation of PWD. Manipur has a total number of 54,100 persons with disabilities on record.