CM directs SDFDC office to be shifted to Pune

Mumbai, Mar 4 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today directed that the State Disabled Finance and Development Corporation (SDFDC) office be shifted to Pune from Mumbai with effect from April 1.

The shifting of the corporation's office is aimed at providing succour to the disabled, an official release here today said.

Meanwhile, a joint delegation from the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee's disabled cell and Maharashtra State Disabled Employees Organisation today met the Chief Minister and presented a memorandum of their demands.

Most of their demands, including permanent sanction to the telephone bboth owners and concession in BEST travel, were accepted by Mr Deshmukh, the release said.

The delegation rued that the three per cent reservation policy for disabled was not being implemented, upon which Mr Deshmukh directed officials to adhere strictly to the rules pertaining to the appointment of disabled persons. He also assured the delegation to look into their demand for providing three per cent reservation in medical and engineering colleges on certain conditions.

The delegation also urged the Chief Minister that abusive reference to the disabled as ''lame'', ''deaf'' or ''dumb'' be made punishable under the Atrocities Act. Mr Deshmukh has asked the Social Justice Department to look into this demand.

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