Differently-abled seek 5% quota in civic bodies

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh State Viravasantha Physically Handicapped Welfare Association (APSVPHWA) demanded that the State government fulfil all their demands and treat them like humans to lead a normal life. In this regard, the members of APSVPHWA led by state secretary Mallela Lakshminarayana staged a protest demonstration at the Lenin Centre on Friday.

Lakshminarayana along with the members raised slogans demanding the government to fulfil their demands which are being ignored for the last four years. He demanded the government to implement the Supreme Court order issued in 2016 and take a decision to implement five per cent reservation in all local bodies in the ongoing Assembly sessions.

The demands include release three-wheel motor cycles to all handicapped unconditionally, allot houses to all physically disabled, enhance pension to all handicapped, provide pension to all handicapped persons in a family, establish one home for handicapped persons in each district, provide complete subsidy on loans below Rs one lakh without bank linkage, provide job or loan of Rs 5 lakh if both male and female handicapped get married, provide Rs 5 lakh if any female handicapped person was subjected to rape, complete exemption of property, water and drainage taxes, 50 per cent discount on electricity bill and construct handicapped association office at each district in 1,000 square yards.