Southern States - Karnataka   

A State that cares for the disabled

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE June 7. As Karnataka gets set to host the national conference of commissioners for persons with disabilities for the fifth consecutive year, the State Commissioner has much to feel good about. The fact that Karnataka is the leading State in the implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, is only one reason.

The Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, D. Thangaraj, told presspersons here today that over 800 complaints had been taken up by the Commissioner's office so far. He said many of them had been resolved to benefit disabled persons. A recent complaint pertained to a child with mental retardation. The child's uncle complained that he was being neglected by his father, an executive in a public sector organisation.

After many arguments, and after the child's father filed a case of kidnap against the child's uncle, the Commissioner's office intervened. After one hearing session, the father realised his mistakes.

The child is now attending a good school, and getting the medical attention that he requires.

Mr. Thangaraj said government institutions had a good record of admitting disabled persons for whom there was three per cent reservation. Minority institutions and private institutions were also being asked to implement the reservation rule. There was a good response from most institutions, which were eager to be known as disabled-friendly and non-discriminatory to the disabled, he added.

Many initiatives

The Assistant Commissioner, Pradeep Kumar, said many initiatives had been taken up jointly with NGOs and educational institutions to create awareness and sensitivity towards disabled children. The media too had been roped in to come up with projects that would facilitate the seamless integration of the disabled into the mainstream, Mr. Kumar added.

Meet on Monday

The national conference, which will be held on June 9, will discuss amendments to the structure and functioning of State commissioners under the Act. The State Commissioner will share with the participants the best practices adopted in Karnataka.

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