NewsKarnataka – Mysore
Mysore: The Karnataka State Forum for the Handicapped has begun an indefinite dharna in front of the Mysore city corporation Office on December 9, Monday in protest against the failure of the City Corporation to release the 3 per cent grant reserved by the government for the welfare and rehabilitation of the handicapped persons.
The protestors alleged that that the City Corporation has also infringed upon the rights of the disabled by depriving them of their due benefits.
Pointing out that that the government has issued a circular directing the local administrations to grant licence for small shops under the ‘Aadhaara’ Scheme of the Senior Citizens Empowerment Department, they alleged that the Mysore City Corporation has however vacated four such shops and has deprived nearly 40 families of their livelihood.
They further demanded the constitution of a committee to oversee the effective implementation of various schemes and effective utilisation of funds granted for the welfare of the disabled. Yet another demand placed forth was to open pre-matric and post-matric hostels for disabled children and offer vocational training to jobless handicapped persons.
The protestors warned that they would move the Supreme court if their demands were not fulfilled.
Mellahallu Kumar, President of District Disabled Welfare Association, Prasanna, Convenor of SICHREM, Dilip Kumar, Secretary of Vikalachethana Abhyudaya Vedike, Prabhuswami, Convenor of State Forum for Handicapped and others participated in the protest.