The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Hunger fast by physically-challenged

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Thursday, Jul 02, 2009
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Hunger fast by physically-challenged

Staff Reporter

— Photo: S. Thanthoni

AGAINST APATHY: Members of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Physically Handicapped Associations during the protest in Chepauk on Wednesday.

CHENNAI: A day-long hunger fast was organised by the Federation of Tamil Nadu Physically Handicapped Associations, protesting inaction by the Department of Social Welfare, here on Wednesday.

“We organised a massive rally on August 19 last year. The Chief Minister accepted nine of our demands. It has been 10 months, but the Department of Social Welfare has not implemented any of them. This hunger strike is to protest against the apathy,” said P. Simmachandran, general secretary of the Federation.

Government Order No. 117 issued by the Social Welfare and Noon Meals Department recommended constituting a high-level committee to ensure 3 per cent reservation in government jobs to disabled people. Mr. Simmachandran complained that nothing concrete had happened in the past 10 months.

Similarly, GO No. 151 passed by the department says that disabled employees who have put in more than two years of service should be made permanent. But Mr. Simmachandran said nothing has come out of it. Demands were also made to raise the disability assistance from Rs. 400 to Rs.1,000 and to provide a barrier-free environment with better accessibility.

“We are only demanding our rights. People do not like us complaining about our disabilities. However, it is not possible for us to forget our problem, unless some opportunities are provided. Only then we will feel included,” said T.M.N. Deepak, State vice-president of the Federation.

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