Mismanagement at disability camp, disabled suffer

The Delhi government on Thursday organised a two-day disability camp but the visitors complained of lack of publicity for needy population and low quality appliances were being delivered. 

The camp, organised by department of social welfare for deaf and those who have lost limbs in east Delhi's Dr Hedgewar Aarogya Sansthan, will end on February 3. "Hardly anyone knew about the camp.

The publicity is done through newspapers and not television. But in the slums and low income houses TV is much more widely watched," said a visitor. Member of Legislative Assembly from east Delhi, Naseeb Singh said the government distributed pamphlets in the whole of east Delhi district. He said involvement of resident welfare associations and other functionaries from the civil society is important to publicise such efforts of the government.

  Visitors also complained of unavailability of variety in crutches. "The NGO here is distributing only one type of crutches and walking sticks. I need strutters, which have flat base, to be able to climb and stand in buses," said a disabled. The needy disabled have to visit the camp once again, on Friday, as all the services were not available on Thursday.

“We came here to get crutches. But only the registration took place. I have to let go of my wages to avail the free appliances,” said Ajay Singh who came with four other friends to the camp. Singh is a helper at a paan shop and had to take leave from work for the visit. 

The officials claimed that the department depends on an NGO to manage distribution of aides and appliances. The NGO authorities said they only wanted to show their material to the disabled on Thursday while the distribution will take place only on Friday.

 "Disabled are being issued disability certificates at the camp. Those above 40 per cent of disability are entitled to six months of Delhi Transport Corporation's bus pass for Rs 15. 

They also get concession while travelling by Indian Railways. The certificate also entitles them to jobs under reserved category for physically handicapped," said Arati Kapoor, district officer (east), department of social welfare.