AGARTALA: Scores of visually impaired citizens gathered in the capital today to voice their long-standing grievances, submitting a comprehensive 21-point charter of demands to the state administration. The primary focus of the demonstration was the urgent demand for dignified employment opportunities and the immediate filling of vacant backlogged posts reserved for Persons with Disabilities (PwD).
The protesters highlighted that despite possessing adequate educational qualifications, a vast majority of visually impaired individuals in the state continue to face severe financial instability due to a lack of jobs. They strongly urged the government to strictly enforce the statutory job reservation quotas across all government departments and public sector undertakings.
Beyond employment, their 21-point list includes crucial demands for increased disability pensions to cope with rising inflation, improved digital accessibility in public spaces, specialized vocational training centers, and subsidized healthcare facilities.
Representatives of the visually impaired association stated that they have been neglected by successive administrations for years. They warned that if the government fails to take concrete steps to address their core demands within a reasonable timeframe, they will be forced to launch a much larger, state-wide democratic agitation.