Majority of the 1,600-odd differently abled has not received many benefits they were entitled to.
The Lakshadweep Disableds’ Welfare Association has alleged that the Lakshadweep administration has extended a raw deal to the differently abled people in the archipelago.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, the association secretary Barkathulla alleged that the Lakshadweep administration was either diverting or embezzling the Central funds earmarked for the islanders.
He said that the administration has not even bothered to observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities till date. Majority of the 1,600-odd differently-abled people in the island has not received many benefits they were entitled to.
He alleged that the Lakshadweep medical board has denied the certificates of disability issued to 400-odd differently abled persons by the Ernakulam General Hospital despite being referred there by the board itself.
The association had set up an office at a cost of Rs. 2 lakh in Kavaratti following assurances from the administration that it would reimburse the amount. However, the administration backtracked from that promise, he said. Mr. Barkathulla said that people of Lakshadweep are being forced to live under the mercy of the bureaucrats since there was no media in the island to expose the misdeeds of the government officials.
Association president Ummer Farook alleged that of the 53 posts filled up from the quota reserved for the differently abled, at least 23 posts had probably gone to the undeserved.
International Human Rights Association Deputy Director, Lakshadweep, Komalam Koya said that petrol is being sold for Rs. 200 per litre and that the island is perhaps the only place where petrol is being sold in bottles.
He said that the round-the-clock service of the doctor in the island remains withdrawn while the medicines served are mostly spurious.
He alleged that the Lakshadweep administration had subcontracted the ship service to a private party in violation of prior agreements.
Mr. Koya said that the islanders are forced to produce the salary certificate of a government servant to avail of loans even if they have property to provide as collateral security. Secretary of the Kavaratti unit of the International Human Rights Association Nazeer also attended the press meet.
