New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP and Trinamool senior leader Manas Bhunia asked the centre to follow the policy of helping the persons with disability.
Raising the issue during a discussion in the Upper House, Bhunia said that the Central government's regulation of handicapped 'created a serious situation when most of the physically challenged are not getting any support." He said, "At present, the standing rules and direction are, if any the physically challenged person does not have 80 per cent of a particular disability then the person would not get help from the Central Government. This has created a serious situation when most of the physically challenged are not getting any support." Whereas, in West Bengal, the state government, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee has made a rule that a person with disability of 40 to 50 per cent may get all possible support including financial support, he said. The senior parliamentarian further called the present situation "unfortunate" for disabled people in the country. This situation demands a serious look and thinking from the centre – to reduce the percentage of disability required from 80 to 50 to provide all possible help, including financial help. Hence, Bhunia urged to reduce the required criteria from 80 to 50 per cent to the incumbent government.