All Nagaland Disabled People’s Organization (ANDPO) has appealed to commissioner for disabled, newly appointed state governor, chief minister and different NGOs with regard to “neglect” of implementation of Persons With Disabilities (PWD) Act 1995 in the state.
According to the five signatories, Bokavi L. Zhimo, vice-chairman, ANDPO, Benjamin general secretary, ANDPO, Tezenchu, finance secretary, ANDPO, Wangshok and Ngabu, both ANDPO advisors, stated that the organization came across few “negative response” from concerned officers during the month of March/April 2012 when they went to some directorate offices to enquire on 3 % job reservation for disabled person, and application for Grade-IV post for one of its members, who was declared 65% disabled according to his medical board certificate.
They also expressed surprise and shock after learning the director straight away told them that there was no such reservation till date, at the same time, lamented that such negative response from the concerned department was “extreme”, for which, the organization said they would not give up early.
Quoting Article VI of Clause [33] which says “every appropriate government shall appoint in every establishment such as percentage of Vaccines not less than 35 for persons or classes of persons with disability of which one percent each shall be reserved for persons suffering from low vision or blindness, hearing impairment and locomotor disability or cerebral palsy, in the past identified for each disability,” the organization added “persons with disability” (PWD) Act 1995 also clearly shows and provides equal opportunity and rights to fully participate in the society for which it questioned why the state government did not utilize this Act as it should be for disabled persons.
The organization while wishing the newly appointed state governor, Ashwani Kumar and the 3rd NPF led government, hoped the latter would “sacrifice all the needs” of both disabled and non-disabled persons in the state and to directly deal with them and not with Nagaland Parents Association (NAPAD).
The organization also urged the state government to provide information to every deputy commissioners of every district to maintain grant in aid under cash dole meant for disabled and those living in poverty.
Meanwhile, ANDPO said it would leave no stone unturned unless the governor and the newly formed 3rd NPF led DAN government “take up strong initiative” for disabled persons.