Lok Manch highlights govt apathy towards disabled

Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 10

Office bearers and activists of various trade outfits gathered under the banner of the Apang Suang Lok (ASUL) Manch to protest against the apathy of 

the administration towards acceptance and implementation of long-pending demands of physically challenged persons and the poor. 

Coordinator of the manch Balwinder Singh, former legislator Tarsem Jodhan, Giani Kewal Singh, Raghunath Singh and Pritam Singh Akhara led activists of their respective outfit in taking oath to launch coordinated movement for the purpose. 

The speakers acknowledged that the ground work done by the manch led by Balwinder Singh had succeeded in roping in activists of other outfits to join the movement and get the demands accepted. 

They (speakers) claimed that people had comprehended genuineness of demands being raised by the manch for the welfare of physically challenged and downtrodden members of various categories, including labourers, small and marginal farmers and employees. 

Appreciating the gesture and support by the outfits, the coordinator of the manch Balwinder Singh said the government had already raised the pension for physically challenged from Rs 250 to Rs 750 per month. 

Payment of Rs 2,000 as old age and widow pension, besides pension for physically challenged, application of MNREGA for work in fields of small and marginal farmers with land hoarding upto five acre, Rs 325 wages for MNREGA workers and withdrawal of pensions of MPs and MLAs were cited as the main demands of the manch. 

The congregation passed resolutions to demand dignified life for the members of weaker sections and physically challenged.  Office bearers of various outfits raised hands to pass resolutions during rally at Ahmedgarh.