Increse pension for us, demand physically challenged

Many in DK district have not recieved amount for nearly one year

The physically challenged Sesappa Poojary couple had come all the way from Puttur to Mangalore on Monday, to tell the authorities about the plight of the physically challenged in the district and to urge the government to fulfil the long-pending demands of people like them.

Sesappa Poojary couple were among over 50 disabled who had assembled in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office to stage a protest jointly organised by Dakshina Kannada Disabled Association and DK District Disabled Federation .

Sesappa Poojary (50) who is 80 per cent disabled and his wife who is 50 per cent disabled, were crawling. They explained how difficult was their life after the government stopped releasing the pension.

Sesappa Poojary said that he used to receive Rs 400 pension for the last three years.

However, he has not been receiving the pension since the last six months after he filed an application asking for a pension of Rs 1000. “Neither we can work to earn our livelihood nor we  have anyone to look after us. With the government not releasing the pension on time, we do not know how to lead our life,” he said.

Gopalachari, a polio victim from Kuloor said that the government should increase the pension amount from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000. “How can the physically challenged who can not afford to work and earn their livelihood, manage the monthly expenses with Rs 1,000, especially at a time when the prices of all commodities and services have gone up?” he asked.

Addressing the protesters, DK District Association for Disabled President Dinesh Shetty said that the state government should set right the irregularities in the distribution of pension to physically-challenged persons. Many have not been receiving the pension for the last one year.

The government should sanction pension to the disabled who have submitted fresh applications, within two months of applying. The concession service provided to the physically challenged in government buses should be extended to private buses as well. 

Three per cent fund reserved for physically challenged in all the action plan should be utilised effectively. Five per cent reservation should be introduced in all the housing schemes and rehabilitation should be provided to the physically challenged.

He also urged the government to increase the monthly honorarium for the physically challenged to Rs 2000. About 30 kg rice should be distributed to the endosulfan victims.

Identity card for the physically challenged should be distributed at various camps.

Association Advisor Gopalakrishna Prabhu explained how the disabled are ill treated by the officials whenever they step inside the government offices. “The officers ask the disabled to come again and again for completing the work. How can they expect the challenged to run from pillar to post?” he questioned.

The protesters submitted a memorandum to Women and Child Welfare Department Deputy Director Shakunthala who paid a visit to the protest venue.

Association Secretary Sanjeev Moolya and others were present.