Morung Express News
Kohima | July 9
Nagaland is still in the preliminary stage of addressing the issues of Persons with Disabilities, viewed Dr. Kamlesh Kumar Pandey, Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. The Chief Commissioner is currently on a visit to Nagaland for the periodical review of the implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Addressing a press conference on July 9 at Hotel Vivor, Kohima, Dr. Kamlesh updated on the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The Act which requires the periodical review of the implementation in the states under India has so far covered 28 states and Union Territories. With the Disabilities Act, 2016 yet to be implemented in Nagaland, the Chief Commissioner directed the State government that the Act ‘should be implemented as early as possible’.
“Disability is a State subject. The Central government provides a model, and it is the duty of the State to implement according to the needs and requirements in their states,” said Dr. Kamlesh who mentioned that ‘a lot of things have to be done by the government of Nagaland’. Having reviewed the state of PwDs in Nagaland where meetings have been held with various stakeholders, Dr. Kamlesh remarked that more awareness needs to be created on the government schemes for the PwDs in Nagaland.
To reach out to the persons with disabilities and hear their grievances pertaining to availability of the benefits meant for them, the office of the Chief Commissioner for PwDs is organising ‘Mobile courts’ in different parts of the country along with the Commissioners for PwDs in the concerned State Governments.
Till date 42 Mobile courts has been set up in 22 states. Nagaland is yet to set up a mobile court, therefore the Chief Commissioner stated that with the lack of offices for the PwDs in Nagaland, mobile courts needs to be set up in remote areas.
Highlighting the progress of other states in India with regard to the empowerment of PwDs, Dr. Kamlesh pointed out that states like Tamil Nadu has a separate department for the empowerment of PwDs with an office for disability in each district along with a welfare officer. Further, the State of Goa provides a monthly pension of Rs. 3500 for PwDs whereas in Nagaland the monthly pension is a mere Rs. 300. This puts Nagaland at a low category in empowering and addressing the needs of its people with disabilities.
No office and staff for PwDs and PwD Commissioner in Nagaland
During the press conference, State Commissioner for PwDs, Nagaland, Dr. Atha Vizol stated that the State has no office or staffs for the PwDs. The Commissioner has been functioning at his own residence with no staff or office for six years.
With the recent approval for the adoption of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 by the Cabinet in Nagaland, Dr. Vizol expressed hope that something positive will emerge. Another meeting is scheduled on July 18 for the ‘final process of the approval’, stated Dr. Vizol.
Dr. Atha Vizol also expressed regret that the State has limited scholarships for only 2000 beneficiaries in Nagaland for years which are released through the Department of Social Welfare.
Accessible India Campaign
To make government buildings more accessible for persons with disabilities, the Government of India launched the Accessible India Campaign (AIC) in 2015 where selected 50 cities have been selected under the AIC including Kohima. The campaign aims to make 100 buildings in each city disabled-friendly for PwDs.
In Kohima, 25 buildings have been proposed for the accessibility where the Central government has accepted the proposal, stated Dr. Atha Vizol who also informed that the Centre has already sanctioned funds for 16 buildings.
