THREE-DAY Visually Impaired Conference concludes

Ferozepur, February 18, 2013:  The three-day visually Impaired Conference concluded at Faridkot in which blinds fro Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh and condemned the anti-blinds policy of the government by violating the persons with Disabilities (equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

Ashok Gupta, president of the visually impaired association from Ferozepur who attended the conference said, the government is not serious to solve the problems of visually impaired persons and running a blind eye from the real issues. 

Rajesh Mohan, convener of the North West Committee of Blind Federation, who is the product of Home for the Blinds, Feozepur said, under Section 33 of the Act, one percent of the posts of teachers should be reserved for blind candidates.  But the governments are denying appointments to the eligible visually impaired persons. 

Stating the example, one Vinod Kumar an inmate of Ferozepur is waiting for appointment as Tabla Player, for the last six months despite being in the merit.  His appointment became due with the resigning of his senior but he is moving pillar to post to get his due right.

He further said, in Punjab itself, 182 posts of teachers (140 primary and 42 in high schools) for blind persons are lying vacant for a long time.  “We will start an agitation if the government does not fill up the vacancies before Match, 31”, he warned.

Jage Ram, convener of HP too expressed his concern over the poor condition of blinds of hill state due insensitive approach of the government there. 

Rajesh Mohan also shared with proud that in Haryana there are nine colleges have the blind as principal but there is none in Punjab. The government has already identified 1,901 jobs for blinds but the posts are yet to be filled while in Haryana most of the posts have been filled up.

The exhibition at Faridkot, the Blind Federation, exhibited the various technologies and advancement for the visually impaired to end their social isolation, to become self dependent to earn for their livelihood.