Newmai News Network SHILLONG | MARCH 28 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Meghalaya have asked the State Government of Meghalaya to respect their human rights and have pointed out that the full implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 in the state will be an indication of this respect accorded to them.This is one of 7-point of demand submitted by the delegation of the Khasi Disabilities Association (KDA) before Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma during a meeting held here in the city on Wednesday. “We have requested the Chief Minister for his intervention to ensure that the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 is fully implemented in the state,” KDA assistant general secretary Michael Thongni informed after this meeting Thongni said the government is also demanded to fully implement 4 per cent job reservation policy of PwDs which include 1 per cent each for blind or low vision, deaf, and loco-motor disability. “We also requested the government to consider appointing one member in MPSC and in all the 11 district selection committees (DSCs) to look after the job appointment for PwDs,” he said while stressing the need to identify posts before sending the advertisement to MPSC and DSCs. Thongni also said that the government should fill up such vacancies by conducting a special recruitment drive which is as per the Rights of PWDs Act, 2016 and as per directions of the Supreme Court, which is yet to be implemented by the state of Meghalaya. The other demands include implementation of 5 per cent reservation for various government schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G) and to increase the unemployment allowance from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000. He informed that the Chief Minister has assured that a joint meeting with the Minister in-charge social welfare, officials of the concern departments and the association will be convened after the Budget Session next month. Thongni, on behalf of the association has expressed confidence that the newly formed government in the state will address the issues concerning the interest and welfare of around 42,000 PWDs in the state.
