GUWAHATI, April 5 - Demanding parity of disability allowances with the Central Government employees, the State Government Disable Employees� Association has requested the State government to address the grievances of the specially able employees to create better working conditions for them.
The association, which has been taking up the matter with the authorities concerned for past several months, has requested the Commissioner of Disability to take necessary action and create equal opportunities at par with the 7th Central Pay Commission due to the same market and price index.
�The State government employees are far behind so far disability-related allowances are concerned. Though we live in the same condition, where there is equal impact of inflation on all, the facilities should also be at least at par with the Union government employees,� said an office-bearer of the association.
�State government employees should be allowed to draw the house rent allowance, which was curtailed in the 6th Pay Commission. Moreover, transportation allowance of a maximum of Rs 1,000 should be allowed to every State government employee, as is being enjoyed by the Central employees,� a memorandum stated.
Educational expenses for two children, including expenses for higher education should be reimbursed or given free similar to Central government employees, as per the demand of the association.
�We have also urged for increasing the disability allowance and childcare allowances equivalent to Central government employees. It may be mentioned that 50 per cent allowances have been reduced in the 6th Assam Pay Commission. Regarding this, we have already submitted a memorandum to the anomaly committee under retired bureaucrat CK Das. This apart, 33 years� arrear with effect from February 28, 1984 should be released before the 7th Pay Commission final report is implemented by the Pay Productivity Panel (PPP),� the association stated.
Its other demands include city compensatory allowance of Rs 1,000, subsidy up to 75 per cent on house building loan, a proper government policy for approximately five lakh disable persons for creating a better and barrier-free environment for persons with disability, education facilities for differently able children, opportunity for employment and self-rehabilitation of youths having different extents of disability.
�Addressing the needs of the children with disability in rural areas is a must to bridge the urban-rural divide in the issues related to intervention into disability. In cities also, such schools must arrange for good transportation facilities, so that such children are encouraged to continue with their education. This is a must for ensuring a life with dignity for people with disabilities (PwDs),� the association asserted.
Other demands of the association include concession in bus fares, exemption from professional tax, income tax and special directorate for PwDs.
