Deputy commissioner Ramachandra strongly criticised that when there were many welfare programmes for the disabled, it was wrong on the part of the officials concerned not to reach the various benefits meant for them citing lack of resources.

He was speaking after inaugurating the World Disability Day jointly organised by the Disabled and Senior Citizens Welfare department, Woman and Child Welfare department and self help organisations in the district, held at the T Chennaiah Rangamandira, here on Monday and said one should think whether the benefits being given to the disabled was enough.

Sufficient funds

It was very important to see that they at least got basic, minimum facilities. There is sufficient funds in various departments for this purpose. But the benefits are not reaching proper beneficiaries, he regretted.

Though the government was giving various facilities to the disabled to lead life like any other normal person, many schemes are confined only to the rule books. The State road transport organisation  has reserved a certain number of bus passes for the handicapped. It should be seen that it is reached to all of them, he said. Similarly other departments also should provide minimum facilities for the disabled. The officials should send proposals and get the necessary aid from the government, he added.

ZP president Nagratna who presided said the schemes announced for the disabled children is not reaching them properly. She regretted that it was like ‘fence eating the crops,’ here.

The disabled should get the facilities in all fields like the normal people. There should be no political interference in the benefits reaching them, she said.

Utter neglect

Chief guest Balaji Chennaih said, there were 45,000 disabled in Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts. The reason for this is water pollution, marriages among close relatives and other problems. But the responsibility lay with the officials of the various departments and they were showing utter neglect, he regretted.

The people’s representatives were also being ignored by the officials and at least on such an occasion as the disabled day, they should be invited, he felt.

The ZP president should give a serious thought to this and in the next meeting this idea should be put forward and the officials concerned should give a proper reply, he demanded.

Scholarships

On this occasion tricycles and other equipments were distributed to the beneficiaries. Along with this talented students were given scholarships.

Also many voluntary organisations who were working for the benefit of the disabled were felicitated.

Disabled association president R Thimmanna, District Disabled and Senior Citizens Welfare officer Venkatram, Child Development Planning officer Rudresh and others were present.

Deputy director Bhaskar welcomed. CDPO Lakshmidevamma compered.