Srinagar: The state of Jammu and Kashmir has the highest number of disabled persons among the other states accounting to nearly three percent of its population, reveals the 2001 census.
According the census, the total population of differently-abled individuals in the state is 3.067 Lakhs.
Out of total persons with disabilities, 2.8 lakh individuals are visually impaired, 0.38 Lakhs are physically challenged, 0.17 lakhs are with speech disability and 0.13 lakhs have hearing disability.
The census also reveals that over 21 million people in India are suffering from one or other disabilities equivalent to 2.1% of the population.
Among the total persons with disabilities in the country, 12.6 million are males and 9.3 million are females. Jammu and Kashmir tops the list.
The number of registered disabled persons with Social Welfare Department who have been directly been hit by militancy are 55,549, the report says.The number of persons who have disabled by accidents are 20,345, number of persons who have been disabled by mine explosions are 14,456 and by other reasons are 13,455.The state is without proper planning for these kinds of people.
Despite a staggering 3.6 lakh disabled persons in the valley, only 1 lakh have been identified.
As per Handicapped Association of Kashmir, the largest number of handicapped people belongs to the twin borders of Kupwara and Baramulla which remained the worst affected because of the violence during the last two decades.
As per the data with the Association, 38,530 physically challenged people belong to Kupwara district while their number is 39,421 in Baramulla district. The disabilities of eyes, legs and arms consists of major part as the conflict has disabled near 2 lakh people in the state from the last 20 years.
In a recent speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mann Ki Baat where he said that people should take inspiration from Javeed Ahmed Tak, hailing from Bijbehara, Anantnag who was injured during militant firing and due to which he lost his (R) kidney and a part of intestine. But, still he continued his efforts and went on to get Masters Degree in Social Work from University of Kashmir. Tak who is a Social Activist and is working for disabled people in the state.
State government is not doing anything for the disabled persons in the state, Tak said. If we look at the schemes which are undertaken by social welfare department of J&K, only those disabled persons receive the honorium which have 60 to 100 percent disability.
They pay rupees 400 and that on a special occasion like eid or any other festival which is more like a charity donation given to the disabled. According to Disability Act 1995 which was adopted by J&K in 1998 as (Equal opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act clearly says that there should be 3% percent reservation in jobs, free transport, health benefits, and free education with special instructors. But there is no such implementation done by government in the state.
With respect to education of the disabled children, four resources centers were employed at SP College, Zadibal, Zakura and Shalteng with two special instructors but after floods they are lying defunct and also the teachers have been engaged as CEOs of various zones putting the education of disabled in a serious jeopardy.
Few years back, the central government employed a scheme for self transportation in which a disabled person can get automatic scooter which can he use for his comfort, but that too was given to few disabled persons, leaving the rest as such.
Time has come that state government must take a serious look at the plight of disabled persons in the state; otherwise there is no meaning of World Disability Day for us, Taq said.
Repeated attempts to contact Minister for Social Welfare Department, Ms. Asiya Naqash did not materialise as as her phone was switched off.
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