Kohima: As the Lok Sabha elections approach, the Nagaland State Disability Forum (NSDF) has urged political parties to prioritise disability inclusion and rights in their agendas.
Addressing a press conference at Hotel Japfü in Kohima on Monday, NSDF President Vikengunu Fatima Kera highlighted the forum’s establishment in 2014 with the mission of advocating for the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Kera revealed that Nagaland currently hosts approximately 29,361 PwD voters. According to data from the state election office, there are 6,707 PwD voters registered.
Kera disclosed a document “Manifesto: For & By Citizens with Disabilities” envisioned by the National Disability Network (NDN) and National Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (NCRPD) as the demand of persons with disabilities in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
She highlighted that intending candidates should consider 5% budgetary allocation for disability, provide affordable and accessible health insurance policies for all persons with disabilities, and provide accessible and inclusive public and private buildings, products, services, public transportation facilities and communication systems.
NSDF General Secretary, Ashe H Kiba, said that their demands encapsulate the essential needs of persons with disabilities, which any incoming government must address or prioritise.
“We, the disabled community, are resolute in asserting our presence and insisting that our needs receive equal priority to those of other societal groups. We are fighting for our rights, and we expect all candidates and political parties in Nagaland to recognize our demands,” she said.
Kiba said that there should be priority inclusion of persons with disabilities in social security schemes like PM AwasYojana and MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) by all relevant ministries. At present she informed that about 3,000 PwDs in Nagaland are receiving a meager Rs 300 as pension amount on a monthly basis.
“We demand political parties commit to: Amending Article 15 of the Constitution to prevent discrimination against persons with disabilities. Implementing 5% reservation at all governance levels for marginalized communities, akin to the 73rd and 74th amendments,” she said.
She also highlighted the need for “access to work” for small, large and medium scale enterprises.
The Forum’s joint secretary Ngaugongbe emphasized on their demands on ensuring a District Disaster Mangement Authority to undertake real-time disaggregated data collection for PwDs in accordance with the RPWD Act.
He also highlighted the need to have accessible and inclusive sports infrastructure for para athletes in the state.
Further, he said that enrollment of children with disabilities in schools should be enhance for ehich he advocated for accessible accommodation and inclusive education system in the schools.
With their demands, the forum is expected to meet with the three intending candidates from Nagaland for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
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Meanwhile, the forum also disclosed that during a state Advisory board held in December last year, a proposal was made to form a separate government department to oversee disability affairs.
After the polls, the forum informed that it will follow up with its proposal.
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