Implement Rights of PwDs Act, 2016 fully: KDA to govt

**A delegation of PwDs under the banner of the KDA met chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday**

SHILLONG, MAR 28: Persons with disabilities on Wednesday asked the state government to respect their human rights by fully implementing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 in the state.

This is one of 7-points of demand submitted by the delegation of the Khasi Disabilities Association (KDA) before the chief minister Conrad K Sangma during a meeting held here in the city.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, KDA assistant general secretary Michael Thongni said, “We have requested the chief minister for his intervention to ensure that the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 is fully implemented in the state.”

Thongni said the government is also demanded to fully implement 4 per cent job reservation policy of PwDs which include 1 per cent each for blind or low vision, deaf, and locomotor disability.

“We also requested the government to consider appointing one member in MPSC and in all the 11 district selection committees (DSCs) to look after the job appointment for PwDs,” he said while urging the need to identify posts before sending the advertisement to MPSC and DSCs.

The assistant general secretary also said the government should also fill up such vacancies by conducting a special recruitment drive which is as per the Rights of PwDs Act, 2016 and as per directions of the Supreme Court, which is yet to be implemented by the state of Meghalaya.

The other demands include implementation of 5 per cent reservation for various government schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G) and to increase the unemployment allowance from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000.

He said that the chief minister has also assured to convene a joint meeting with the minister in-charge social welfare, officials of the concern departments and the association after the Budget Session next month.

Asked, Thongni said that the association expressed its confidence that the newly formed government in the state will address the issues concerning the interest and welfare of the PwDs in the state.

There are around 42,000 persons with disabilities in Meghalaya.

By Our Reporter