Hyderabad, May 13 (UNI) The Telangana State Committee of the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) staged a protest (dharna) in front of the Director of the Welfare Department of the Disabled in Hyderabad on Tuesday, demanding urgent resolution of several long-pending issues faced by people with disabilities across the state.

Led by state general secretary M Adivaiah, the protest highlighted that out of 43.02 lakh disabled individuals in Telangana, only around 4.9 lakh currently receive pensions. The demonstrators questioned the non-implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016, and the Mental Health Care Act, 2017. They raised concerns about the lack of legal action in cases of sexual violence against disabled women and called for educational institutions specifically for disabled students.

Key demands included employment opportunities, job reservations in promotions, strengthening of the Disabled Welfare Department and Corporation, revival of Mandal and District Federations, and increased self-employment loan units.

The group also called for free RTC bus passes, enhanced marriage incentives, health insurance, increased pensions (Rs 6,000), and special schemes like digital cards for railway concessions and dedicated study circles.

They urged the state government to enact a law providing representation for disabled individuals in local bodies and nominated posts, and to establish special schools, cultural opportunities, and employment in private sectors. NPRD leaders accused the government of failing to fulfill election promises to the disabled community.

GM Prabhanjan Rao from the Disabled Corporation received the petition and assured the protesters that their concerns would be forwarded to the government.

He promised a meeting with officials to discuss the 49-point charter of demands of disabled people from various districts participating in this program.
UNI VV GNK