BJP seeks better deal for Leprosy Affected Persons

New Delhi, Dec 5 (UNI) The BJP today filed a petition before Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari, emphasising the need for ''medico, socio and economic empowerment'' for Leprosy Affected Persons (LAP).

The petition filed by former Union Minister Ram Naik and Ved Prakash Goyal and others working in the field of leprosy, pointed out that there were 700 self-settled LAP colonies in 23 states of the country and there was need to do much more for them on medical level, particularly on prevention and rehabilitation.

It also drew the attention about the social stigma attached to such patients and called for implementation of an awareness programme to eradicate myths about the disease among the masses. The petition called for making such an offence as violation of human rights of the victim.

A copy of the petition made available to the media by Mr Naik also urged for a uniform sustenance allowance of Rs 1,000 per month per LAP throughout the country, besides free medical facilities, free civic amenities like safe drinking water, electricity, toilets and drainage in all LAP colonies.

UNI