A bumpy ride for the differently-abled

What could have been a boon has now turned out to be the bane of their lives. The state government’s much touted identity cards for the physically challenged could have earned them a life of dignity, but unfortunately it has not been so.

If the plans had taken off as proposed, the multi-purpose identity cards would have been of immense help to the physically challenged.

The Kerala Vikalanga Samyukta Samiti (KVSS) said that instead of receiving benefits on producing the card, all that is in stock is utter disgrace. Naser Manayil, state assistant secretary of KVSS, said that the card is not recognised anywhere.

“Even the KSRTC and the private bus operators do not recognise the card. “While travelling in a KSRTC bus, one is often asked to produce the card issued by the KSRTC. Similar is the case with the private buses too,” he said.

KVSS complained that the State Commission formed for the physically challenged has also failed to address the issues.

“Though a circular has been issued by N Ahmad Pillai, Commissioner, State Commissionerate for Persons with Disabilities, it has gone in vain. The circular had stated that strict action will be taken against those who demand a higher fare from the physically challenged even after producing the identity card.

We had intimated the concerned authorities regarding the discrepancies that cropped up while using the identity cards. But it has fallen on deaf ears,” they said.

An RTI information reveals that the government initiative to distribute the identity cards for the differently- abled was initiated in 2006 at a cost of Rs 7 crore. Ever since, the specific programme has been steeped in controversies.

“At the outset, the government had issued a card stating that it was intended for people below eighteen years. Later, it was found that the beneficiaries included those in the age bracket of twenty five to thirty.

“When the discrepancy was found out, a vigilance inquiry was ordered. After that, the government had made another move to distribute the cards,” said Rasheed Anappara, state vice-president, RTI Kerala Federation.

M S Jaya, director of Social Welfare Department, admitted that such an issue had come into the notice of the department.

“We have taken the issue up with the government. There are meetings going on and we feel confident that the issue can be settled soon,” she said.