Govt ignored plight of blind in J

Jammu, Mar 2 (UNI) National Federation of Blinds (NFB) today accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of ignoring the plight of visually impaired people, and demanded at least 10 per cent reservation to the handicapped people in the state.

NFB president Mohinder Badiyal, while addressing a press conference here, said the state government had failed to provide succor to the handicapped, particularly visually impaired people.

''The handicapped people should be accorded the status of a community and be given 10 per cent reservation by the government,'' he said.

Mr Badiyal further expressed dismay over the inadequate educational opportunity provided to the visually challenged people.

''We have only one Residential School for The Blind, that also having only 25 seat capacity,'' he informed, demanding the intake of the school be increased up to 100 students.

The NFB said it would not hesitate to launch agitation if their genuine demands are not addressed by the government shortly.

UNI VJ MSJ RN1550