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Disability activist Diethono Nakhro, centre, and others during a press conference, in Kohima on Wednesday, November 21.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 21 (EMN): Despite a level of progress over the years, a sad fact still remains is that People with Disability (PwD) are some of the most marginalised groups in the Naga society. They are often either ‘ignored or marginalised’ by society and government.
In the face of hurdles that PwD have to go through from physical problems to employment, community activities, and social life etc, the barriers of attitude against them is becoming a major hindrance.
The Rights of Persons with Disability Act (RPWD), 2016 is the disability legislation passed by the Indian Parliament which became operational on April 19, 2017. Some highlights of the Act: Free healthcare; free education from six to 18 years; 5% reservation in higher education, job reservation increased from 3% to 4%; quantum assistance in poverty alleviation schemes increased by 25%; and punishment by imprisonment for offence against people with disability.
All Indian states and union territories were supposed to notify the state rules and start implementing within six months. Accordingly, the government of Nagaland has on September 27, 2018 officially notified the RPWD Act 2016 but the State Disability Rules are yet to be notified.
Terming the move as a huge milestone for the disability community, Disability Rights activist, Diethono Nakhro appreciated the action of the state government at a press conference held at Hotel Japfü on Wednesday. However, she pointed out that is only the first step and the notification will serve no purpose unless there is strict and proper enforcement of the laws. She informed that the social welfare department is working on this and the process is in the final stages, and hope that it will be notified soon.
Nakhro reminded the existence of Disability Act called ‘The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995’ which was in force in the country for over 20 years, but not even a single law was properly enforced in the state. She asserted that “with the Act now officially enforced in the state, we, the disability community, want to make very clear that we will not allow RPWD Act 2016 to end up like the old 1995 Act.”
Following the delay in enforcing the Act in the state, she said that the disability community had been pushing the state government for its implementation and had approached the previous government as well as the current government.
The activist also made it clear that unlike in the past where the voices of the people with disability were totally ignored and neglected, they will make their voices heard. “We are here, we are proud of who we are and we know that we are equal citizens and we are fighting and going to fight for our rights,” she said.
Recalling the recent case of one Longlong Konyak from Mon district living with Haemophilia, a blood disorder condition who did not receive the required service at a hospital in his home district and at Dimapur District Hospital, Nakhro said “this is a violation of his right”. She pointed out the Chapter V Section 25 of the Act clearly states that free healthcare should be provided to such patients in the vicinity, especially in rural areas.
Nakhro said that a representation has been sent to the principal director, department of Health and Family Welfare to ensure that the healthcare needs of People with Disabilities are met as laid down in the RPWD Act. The department has been asked to set up a system for disability data collection (relevant and reliable data) on various kinds of disabilities to establish a complete picture of disability and to allow the state government and stakeholders to identify strategies needed to improve the health and wellbeing of the PwDs.
Methna Konyak, brother of Longlong Konyak explained the condition of Haemophilia, a rare sickness that has affected three of his brothers (one passed away) and stressed on the need to conduct a survey on this rare sickness.
With many government officials and departments being ignorant of the rights of PwDs, Nakhro said, “what must be remembered is that disability affairs is not the responsibility of social welfare dept alone. It cuts across all departments and all departments must do its part.”
Pointing out that the Act covers private sectors as well, the activist has requested all the officials to update themselves on the RPWD Act and do justice to the disability community by complying with accessibility provisions, disability employment and so on.
“We are no longer willing to exist like third class citizens. We are also not looking for pity or charity; we don’t need that. We just want our fellow citizens and our government to ensure the equal rights and opportunities that we deserve as equal citizens,” said Nakhro. And this, she maintained can only start with strict and proper implementation of the RPWD Act by the concerned authorities.
