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Office of Disabilities Commissioner to be shifted

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI MAY 7. Under pressure from organisations working with the disability community, the Government has finally conceded to seriously look into the list of 12 demands incorporated in the memorandum submitted by the organisations to the Government yesterday.

In a meeting between representatives of the differently-abled community, organised under the banner of the Disabled Rights Group (DRG), and the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Vijay Goel, held on Monday evening, the need to seriously consider the demands of the disabled community in a time bound manner was recognised.

Mr. Goel agreed to the demand for shifting of the office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities from Noida to Delhi at the earliest. Assurance was given for examining the demands of increasing the limit of income tax exemption and reducing of custom duties on the aids and appliances for the use of the disabled people. These issues would be taken up for discussion with the Finance Minister, Yashwant Sinha.

With regard to the incentives for the private sector to boost employment opportunities for the disabled people, officials from the Social Justice Ministry, who were also present at the meeting, were asked to submit a report of the progress that had been made so far. Mr. Goel assured the representatives of his commitment take up the issue with the concerned Ministers.

In light of the assurance given by the Government, the threat of a fast unto death issued by convenor, Disability Rights Group, Javed Abidi, was withdrawn and instead members of the differently-abled community and concerned citizens held a solidarity sit-in at the Jantar Mantar today.

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