'Quota for disabled in contract jobs too'

Mayor Mahabala Marla has said that the MCC is committed to implement job reservation for persons with disabilities while recruiting persons on contract basis.

Speaking at International Day for the Differently Abled organised by the district administration, Department of Women and Child Welfare, Department of Welfare of Disabled and Senior Citizens and NGOs here on Wednesday, he said there is three per cent reservation in government jobs for physically challenged persons.

The MCC will give financial aid to all differently abled children who have won accolades in various competitions and schools striving for their welfare of such children, in its limits.

He said that there is a need to bring differently abled persons to the main stream of the society. The NGOs and officials should ensure that all beneficiary schemes for the welfare of the differently abled reaches the right beneficiary.

Stating that states like Tamil Nadu, Goa, Kerala and Maharashtra have a separate ministry for the differently abled, the Mayor said they have been successful in implementing various schemes effectively when compared to Karnataka.

The remuneration or honorarium paid to special educators varied from state to state. Only a few schools were getting grants under the child-centric (Shishukendrita) grants of the State government, he said. 

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said that the differently abled persons should not be considered as a burden on society. They too deserve a respect in the society.

“In today’s busy life, we forget about the problems faced by the differently abled. The post of lift operators, office assistant for photocopying can be given to physically challenged persons. There is a need to bring in amendment to rules to ensure that first beneficiary of any scheme should be physically challenged persons.”

Benefits worth Rs 20 lakh

MLA J R Lobo said that benefits worth Rs 20 lakh through the department of Welfare of Disabled and Senior Citizens were distributed on Wednesday.

This includes scholarships worth Rs 11.48 lakh for 922 differently abled students, three sewing machines, fixed deposit of Rs 50,000 each for two persons for marrying physically challenged persons, 10 wheelchairs, tricycles and crutches worth Rs three lakh, 16 hearing aids, petty shops for eight persons under Aadhaar scheme were distributed.

Apart from this, grant of Rs 27.45 lakh for Saanidhya Residential School and Training Centre for the Mentally Challenged, Rs 7.3 lakh for Christaraja Special School and Rs 5.3 lakh for Lions Special School were also distributed.

The MLA said that petty shops sanctioned for physically challenged persons should not be misused. He promised to raise the issues bothering differently abled persons in the session.