Protests over lack of implementation of Disability Act mark World Disability Day

D.N.I.S News Network – To highlight the apathy of the Government towards implementation of the provisions of the Disability Act 1995, a protest rally was held in the National Capital by the National Federation of the Blind (N.F.B.) on World Disability Day.

The specific focus of the protest was to press for filling up of backlog in seats reserved for disabled people. The rally began from Jantar Mantar in Delhi and marched towards Vigyan Bhawan, where an official function was being held. The protestors were stalled by police, who arrested some of them and released them soon after.

In a press release, the N.F.B. said that the protest was held to press for early action on a 12-point charter of demands, including amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995, and extension of reservation for persons with disabilities in general and the blind in particular to the private sector.

“We have been asking for strict implementation of Section 33 of Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 in the Railways in the matter of one per cent reservation in all types of jobs since Railways have totally neglected the blind in the implementation of one per cent reservation,” said S.K. Rungta, General Secretary of the Federation, in the release. On the same day, the Rashtriya Viklang Party also held a demonstration at the Jantar Mantar seeking 10 per cent job reservation for the disabled, among other demands.