Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: A comprehensive policy to capacitate differently abled persons by implementing the Disability Act 1998 in the right spirit is the need of the hour.
This was said by Suraj Singh, Advocate, J&K High Court while delivering a lecture on “Empowering Differently Abled” organized by Indian Institute of Public Administration, J&K Regional Branch. The lecture was attended by members of IIPA and civil society.
Advocate Suraj Singh, who himself is visually impaired, highlighted the needs of disabled persons and said that the Disability Act 1998 provides for security and protection of disabled persons and Sec 19 of the Act provides opportunities to the disabled to enjoy their fundamental rights. According to the Act, it is the responsibility of the State Government to take care of the disabled persons, he added.
Suraj Singh said that despite passage of 17 years, the State Government is yet to implement it and the issues pertaining to the disabled persons are unaddressed and out of attention of the concerned authorities. He informed that in 2011, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir issued directions to the State Government with respect to implementation of the Act which provides for special training, recruitment and reservation in employment. However, much progress has not taken place with respect to such directions, he lamented. According to him, the way to empower differently abled persons is to consider them as part of the society and the State Government should provide for aid, appliances and instruments that facilitate education of such persons. He acknowledged the support received from the civil society in J&K to support the causes of differently abled persons.
The members present appreciated the lecture of Advocate Suraj Singh and stressed upon the need to highlight issues and challenges faced by this marginalized society.
Dr Komal Nagar, Joint Director, Seminars gave the introductory address while Dr Anil Gupta, Joint Secretary, IIPA presented the formal vote of thanks.
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