Handicaps go on indefinite strike

Dehra Dun, Aug 11 (UNI) Disabled persons under the banner of Pradeshik Viklang Sangathan today started an indefinite strike in front of Vidhan Sabha seeking employment and addressal of their other 26 point demands.

''It is for the second time that disabled persons of the state have resorted to indefinite strike, as their various problems including unemployment has not been addressed by the government despite an assurance by them during their strike in May 2005,'' Sangathan President Sahab Singh Rawat said.

He said a memorandum was also fowarded to the Chief Minister but nothing has come positive so far. He said the Sangathan has decided to go on indefinite strike till their pleas were heard.

Lalit Prasad, a young lad with Masters Degree in Economics and ITI certificate said the government was not looking after its disabled population properly. ''Irregularities and nepotism followed in the employment process is depriving the qualified disabled person from getting jobs,'' he said, adding that employment was being provided on fake certificates which should be througly checked.

After completing his studies he had been applying for a job in various departments but to no avail. He said the Municipal Corporation had alloted him a piece of land on the National Highway in the year 2004 where he had started a vehicle repairing shop, but within six months he was asked to vacate the place citing it to be of Public Works Department.

''I am again back on the street,'' he said. Vijay Singh, another disabled person with a BA degree and ITI qualification said since 1995 he had been running from pillar to post to get a job but to no avail.

Their other key demands included increase in reservation quota from existing three per cent to ten per cent, formation of Viklang Kalyan Directorate and Board, separate employment exchange office for them in all districts, rebate in loan interests taken for self employment and separate sports policy for handicapped athletes.

UNI LPT SHB SSC1545