Legislator promises Nagaland Disability Act ‘soon’

Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Dec. 3 (EMN): Parliamentary Secretary for Social Welfare, Merentoshi R Jamir on Sunday assured that the ‘Nagaland Disability Act would be put in place soon’ – an announcement which comes in the backdrop of repeated campaigns by rights activists.
While assuring this during an event to mark the International Day of People with Disability at Highland Park in Kohima, Jamir informed that said Act is at its final stage with the advocate general of the state. It will be forwarded to the state Cabinet for approval at the earliest, he informed.
Speaking as the chief guest, Jamir appreciated the talents of the children who performed at the event and acknowledged the parents and teachers for making the children ‘believe that they are same as any other’. “Disability is not an illness,” he asserted.
He also acknowledged the ‘fact that the state has come a long way towards creating awareness and sensitisation’. However, Jamir reminded that the state has not achieved even 20% of what is needed to be done for people with disabilities.
The legislator was confident that once the Act is put in place ‘we will make a huge jump in our fight for justice’ and further assured that his department is committed to implement the Nagaland Disability Act and the Ministry’s guidelines.
Merangtsungba Aier, the Director of Social Welfare department, in his address said that the department has registered more than 29,600 PwDs of different categories in the state. He also lamented the fact that the District Disability Rehabilitation Centres are not functioning ‘satisfactorily’, and also the absence of inclusive education except in 12 schools in Kohima. The official wondered if PwDs would get the opportunity to pursue education in other districts of the state.
Highlighting some challenges, Aier said more teachers are required to be trained to undertake this ‘challenging task’. He also observed with regret that hardly any government offices and institutions were barrier to allow easy accessibility. Aier asserted the need to have buildings that are barrier-free.
He also expressed apprehension whether the 4% job reservation for PwDs in government establishments are truly implemented or not.
As a ‘food of thought’, Aier suggested if all the citizens of Nagaland numbering to 20 lakh can contribute INR 10 annually for the welfare of the PwDs, he said ‘we can collect INR 2 crore and with that amount, lots of great initiatives can be done for the most needy for education, health, pension etc.’
Also highlighting the significance of the day, Aier said the day is observed across the world to recognise the achievements made by the PwDs, generate more awareness and sensitise the community on the Constitutional rights and opportunities of PwDs.
The programme was organised by the state’s department of Social Welfare in collaboration with Nagaland Disability Commission and Nagaland Parents Association for the Disabled (NAPAD) on the global theme: ‘Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all’.