Enthused by the response to the Muslim, Dalit and Backward Classes’ convention organised by it, the Janata Dal (Secular) is preparing to hold a convention of persons with disabilities.
State JD(S) president H.D. Kumaraswamy told presspersons on Friday that over 1 lakh people were expected to participate in the convention to be held at the Palace Grounds here on Sunday.
Claiming that the convention was the first of its kind in the country, he said non-governmental organisations working with persons with disabilities would participate in the convention.
Three special trains have been chartered to bring people from Gulbarga, Bijapur, Hubli and Belgaum, and over 1,000 buses have been hired for the purpose.
Over 2,000 volunteers have been trained to take care of the needs of the participants. “We are making all efforts to make the participants feel comfortable,” he said.
The convention will discuss issues pertaining to persons with disabilities. While official figures put the number of persons with disabilities in the State at nine lakh, NGOs put the number at around 19 lakh, he said.
Over 35 long-pending demands of persons with disabilities would be discussed and the party would bring pressure on the government to fulfil them, he added. If the JD(S) comes to power, all the 35 demands would be implemented within 90 days, he promised.
When asked how he would mobilise funds for the purpose, Mr. Kumaraswamy said he would put a cap on government expenditure such as heli-hopping of the Chief Minister.
“I travelled by road during my tenure as Chief Minister. I will continue the practice,” he said.
