ANDPO for differently-abled friendly policies in Nagaland
DIMAPUR, MAY 22 (MExN): The All Nagaland Disabled People’s Organization (ANDPO), in its general meeting held on April 30 at the Red Cross complex in Kohima, passed ten resolutions that could benefit greatly the position of differently-abled persons in Nagaland to access public services on an equal footing.
This was stated in a press release from ANDPO Chairman, Tezenchu Semy and General Secretary, Benjamin Sema.
Among the resolutions made for “inclusive growth”, including social and economic growth of Nagaland, the Organization requested the State’s Disability Commissioner and authorities at various levels of governance to be more open and work directly with differently-abled persons themselves and their organizations. Any activities dealing with disability, the Organization stated, should be routed through the Disability Commissioner who, in turn, should keep up-to-date with the ANDPO.
It appealed to “various factions of national workers” not to levy tax from disabled employees, both public and private sector as well as business income, as they are a disadvantaged section of society.
The house called for “all Departments to reserve (3%) in all categories of posts identified for disabled persons. In accordance with PWD ACT 1995, at least 5% reservation has to be maintained in all poverty alleviation programme and rural development schemes.”
Regarding education, the ANDPO stated that the Right to Education (RTE) Act of 2009 ensures free and compulsory education for all categories of children. Keeping this in mind, the ANDPO has sought assistance of the central and State government for special schools and vocational training centres for differently-able persons.
The Organization will also endeavor to set these up to the best of its capacities.
It has also requested that the mandatory 3% seats reserved for the disabled in educational institutions and vocational training centres should provided for in Nagaland too. “It also appeal to departmental recruitment authorities to relax educational qualification for disabled candidates as are admissible to Backward tribes in grade C and D posts,” noted the press release.
Resolving to keep a check on fraudulent availing of schemes for the disabled, the ANDPO said, “Taking serious note of the schemes such as National Handicapped Finance Development Cooperation (NHFDC) not reaching the actual beneficiaries, while the department is facing problem of loan recovery due to lack of transparency and accountability. Henceforth, any such schemes must be route through ANDPO to make accountable utilization.”
Further, it suggested, “to be more transparent and accountable, the medical board certifying disability should give clearance for disability certificate only to those who have not less than 40% of disability as stipulated in the PWD ACT 1995. Any deviation shall be amount to fraudulent attempts to avails benefit meant for disabled persons and liable to be punished with imprisonment or fine or both.”
All Presidents, General Secretaries and other office bearers of respective districts will have “one and same ANDPO identity card” to signify affiliation to the parent organization (ANDPO) in addition to identity card for persons with disability. Office bearers of ANDPO will have separate identity cards. The conditions will apply subjected to the approval of State’s Disability Commissioner.
The ANDPO is a pioneer organization initiated by Disabled Persons themselves with the view to assert their rights as equal citizens and to fight for a just and inclusive ambiance for the differently-abled persons in Nagaland. It is a non-profit and voluntary organization in the field of disability.
