Scores of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) staged a protest in Kupwara district of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir against the authorities for subjecting them to enduring hardships.  According to Kashmir Media Service, the protesters said the authorities are failing to fulfil promises made to the PwDs in their election manifesto, highlighting a gap between commitments and implementation. 

“We are struggling for our survival but the authorities concerned seem to be insensitive regarding our hardships. For years we have been demanding enhancement of pension from Rs 1000 to Rs 3000 but nothing is being done in this regard,” Mushtaq Ahmad, a protester said.  The protesters demanded proper implementation of The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act) at the earliest so that they could have the privilege of their rights. 

“Since most of the PwDs grapple about earning their livelihood, we are still forced to pay over Rs 780 monthly electricity bill, which has made things worse for us ,” another protestor said.  They demanded that the upper age limit for applying to government jobs for PwDs should be increased to 48 years. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)