Siliguri, 12th February: Paschim Banga Rajya Pratibandhi Sammilani (PBRPS) called for a statewide protest seeking the implementation of the provisions of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
In view of this, PBRPS of Darjeeling district today laid siege to the SDO office of Siliguri. In addition to this, the demonstrators also blocked the Hill Cart Road. A huge police force was deployed in the area to bring the situation under control. Police detained several people in the incident.
The PBRPS Darjeeling district Joint Secretary, while addressing the media, stated that the law was passed in 2016. Despite this, it has not yet been implemented. Hence, the organization staged a protest today. He warned of staging larger demonstration if their demands are not met soon.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 The Act replaces the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. It provides Rights and entitlements to persons with disabilities including reservation in higher education (not less than 5%), government jobs (not less than 4 %), reservation in the allocation of land, poverty alleviation schemes (5% allotment) etc. have been provided for persons with benchmark disabilities and those with high support needs.