Srinagar, Feb 05: Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Kulgam, Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami on Wednesday met protesting specially-abled persons in Jammu and said their demands were legitimate and deserved immediate attention during the ongoing budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
The persons with disabilities have been holding a dharna in Jammu for the last six days, pressing for the full implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, including allocation of a four per cent share in the budget and enhancement of financial assistance.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the protesters, Tarigami said the specially-abled persons represented one of the most vulnerable sections of society, and it was the responsibility of both the government and society to support them.
“These are specially-abled persons and a vulnerable section of our society. Their demands are legitimate. Providing support to them is their right. If a compassionate approach is not adopted, it would amount to injustice,” he said.
The CPI(M) leade said he had come to meet them as a legislator who understood their pain and suffering and assured them that their issues would be raised at the appropriate forum.
Referring to the Disability Act, Tarigami said the law was the result of a long struggle by organisations of persons with disabilities across the country and needed to be implemented in full in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Act was implemented here in 2016, but even today, its provisions are not fully enforced. Their demand across the country is complete implementation of the Act,” the CPI(M) leader said.
He added that the present financial assistance being provided to persons with disabilities was inadequate in view of rising inflation. “What they receive today is not wages but a small incentive. In this era of inflation, it is impossible to survive on a few hundred rupees. Their demand for enhancement is justified,” Tarigami added.
Tarigami referred to the presence of a differently abled sportsperson at the protest and said recognition and institutional support were essential to encourage such talent.
“If we do not support such sportspersons and do not raise our voice in the Assembly, then we fail in our responsibility. It is my duty, and that is why I am here,” he said.
The protesting persons with disabilities said their primary demand was implementation of the Disability Act, 2016, particularly the four per cent reservation and budgetary allocation.
“Under this Act, we are entitled to a four per cent share. We are waiting for that. If a four per cent share is allocated for us in the budget, then something meaningful can be planned for persons with disabilities,” one of the protesters said.
