State government is biased with the handicaps from the hills than from plains- Chotay Lal Prasad

4.12.14 Posted by Mukesh sharma

Nisha Chettri

Kalimpong, December 3, 2014:

Celebrating the international day of people with disability, team who-cares called a small event in triangular park with the members of joint action committee for the vagabonds and street beggars who patiently participated in the event which was celebrated in Kalimpong for the first time.

Few members of Parvatiya Apang Kalyan Sangathan turned up along with the President Chotay Lal Prasad; before the event in the park he said that the handicaps from Kalimpong are not able to benefit from any of the schemes which government provides, he also said that the local authority often ignored their inquisition each time they approached.

Although they are physically impaired they said that they are not in a verge of begging and with other unimpaired parts of their body they would work till they are practically allowed and in few days they are likely to protest the block office for curtailing their government pensions and other facilities. ‘Our rights have been curtailed and we strongly protest that by thronging around the block office very soon’ said Prasad. Adding to that he said, the state government is biased with the handicaps from the hills than from plains.

It was known that the disables are unable to benefit from handicap pension, scholarship for handicap students, reservation in transportation, medical discounts, loans, etc,. 2000 approximate handicaps are there in Kalimpong who are unable to reach through their rights. Chotay Lal also informed that they will shortly raise an issue and prepare a memorandum jotting their 22 demands which will be forwarded to the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, and G.T.A Executive, and if the issue is nullified they might take an alternative- a protest.

However, who-cares as usual cleaned and washed the street beggars and vagabonds, they also provided gifts for 15 disabled people from Parvati Apanga Kalyan Sangathan to uplift and inspirit them. Talking about uplifting their spirit the coordinator of the team (Who Cares) Aron Yonzon appeals the public to get acquainted with human values and serve the needy people. ‘Many come and talk about saving environment, water, etc, but we must first learn to take care of humans around us.’ Said Yonzon.