Number of disabled persons to rise in Orissa

Berhampur (Orissa), Feb 10 (PTI) Disabled persons inOrissa today claimed that their population would increaseconsiderably in the census-2011.

"We hope the number of disabled would increase manyfold this time as questions on disability changed and moretypes, including multiple disorders added this time," said theactivists of the disabilities.

The disabled formed 2.13 per cent of the totalpopulation of the state in the last census-2001 and theirpopulation stood at 10,21,870.

The activists, however, claimed their population wasmore than this.

"We are sure the population of the disabled in thestate will increase many fold this time as the scope has beenexpanded and there is a separate column for multipledisability," said AK Behera, programme manager of Swabhiman, aNon Governmental Organisation (NGO).

In association with several other NGOs, we have alsosensitised the disabled persons as well as the enumerators,engaged in the census works in several districts, he said.

Since allocation of funds in planning process dependson population, accuracy is needed for the benefit of thedisabled, said K. Ananda Rao, general secretary of Ganjamdistrict orthopaedically handicapped association.

"We have also asked the disabled persons to cooperatethe enumerators," he said.

Besides disabled, all those living in the stateincluding Tibetan refugees residing in Chandragiri areas andBangladeshi immigrants will be covered under the census, saidstate�s Revenue minister SN Patra said here.�

The students living in hostels elsewhere will becovered by the enumerators in the place of residence, he said.

The mammoth exercise will conclude on February 28.

Enumeration of the homeless population will be held on thenight of February 28. The revision round of the enumerationwill be held on March 1 to 5 to update details of births anddeaths on March 1, 2011, the minister said.