Need for a separate dept need for a separate dept

Raju’s father has taken up the issue with the State Commissioner for Disability, where the case is still pending.

According to Commissioner for Disability, K V Rajanna, there is a need for a separate department for the disabled rather than under the Women and Child Development.

He said even the office building of the Commissioner for Disability was not disabled-friendly.
Rajanna asked all the disabled persons in the State to give their count during the census to be held from February 8 to 21, so that proper records of disabled population can be maintained.

The commissioner’s office is meant to settle cases related to violation of the Disability Act, where every month, nearly 12 cases related to harassment or injustice done to a disabled person, are received. 

Rajanna said there were many cases related to disabled schoolchildren who drop out. But the education department has not maintained any record of the dropouts between in 6-14 years age group.

He said there was absolutely no career guidance programme conducted for the disabled. Like the BMTC, which has employed disabled person providing them with ‘light work’, a similar stand has not been taken in other departments.

The Court of State Commissioner of Disabilities has taken up 24 cases for redressal during the year 2009-2010 and till date has received 1,950 cases, disposed of 1,928 cases and has kept 22 cases pending.