Meeting with Honorable Minister for Finance, J&K on 21st May 2018

On 21st May 2018, Javed Ahmad Tak, chairman, Humanity Welfare Organisation HELPline, met Honourable Minister for Finance J&K government, Jenab Altaf Bukhari sahib, at his office in the civil secretariat Srinagar. He pleaded with the minister for enhancement of conveyance allowance in favour of employees with disabilities. The minister then assured that the matter will be taken on priority.

The next meeting was with Chief Secretary to Government of J&K, Mr. Bharat Bhushan Vyas in which various issues were brought into the notice regarding persons with disabilities, which included

1. Problems faced by the blind aspirants and upper limb orthopedic disabled in seeking scribe or amenities in screening tests and other exams held by Jammu & Kashmir public Service commission and Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection board.

2. Problems faced by children with disabilities in appearing board exams.

3. Problems faced by youth with disabilities in acquiring loan from NHFDC through SC/ST/OBC board.

4. Problems faced by educated youth with disabilities in seeking job through recruitment agencies at state and district level.

5. Strengthening the mechanism of issuance of disability certificates issued from medical boards in all districts so that fake disability certificates are stopped.

6. The problems faced by youth with disabilities in living independent living in the community.

Honourable Chief Secretary assured that matter will be taken with the concerned departments for early redressal. He deputed Mr Ideel Ahmad, Deputy Secretary to conduct meeting of various departments with presence of disability representatives so that persons with disabilities are relieved from agonies.

One more meeting was held in office of Secretary Jenab Talat Parvez Rohella and Chairman HWOHL with other disable representatives discussed the matter of accessibility in gardens and parks. In addition the problems faced by the tourists with disabilities were discussed in the parks and gardens. Jenab Talat Parvez on spot issued orders to directors of floriculture Jammu as well as Srinagar to ensure access through ramps and safe passages in all floriculture infrastructure with compliance to his office.

The last meeting was held in the office of Secretary Labour and emoyment Department Jenab Kifayat Hussain Rizvi in which continuation of benefits to registered labourers after meeting any sort of disability was discussed. In addition registration of persons with disabilities working as construction of labourers was also discussed. As many youth with disabilities had brought matter in the notice of Chairman HWOHL Javed Ahmad Tak that in district labour offices the registration of labourers with disabilities is denied on grounds of the disability. Jenab Kifayat Hussain Rizvi assured that circular in both the cases will be notified so that labourers with disabilities are not discouraged.