Andhra Pradesh Disabled Networks leaders on Thursday urged Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to take immediate steps to get their problems resolved.
Speaking to media persons after submitting a memorandum to the Chief Minister at the Secretariat, the disabled network leaders said that their demands should be solved on priority as their families were slogging for over two decades without proper support from successive state governments.
The memorandum also pointed out that the numbered about 50 lakh according to the Planning Commission of India's findings.
Among others, they sought three per cent budget for the disabled in all Departments as per PWD Act, 95 and as per the directions of the 11th Planning Commission of India, and three per cent quota in jobs in all government Departments, Corporations and Undertaking agencies.
They also requested for reservations in local bodies, mandal, ZP and Municipalities, nomination of their members in all Panchayats, MPP and ZPP bodies.(INN)
The maverick Talli Tenagan Party leader Vijayashanthi and the TDP chief Chandra Babu had a bitter argument this morning. The venue was the NTR grounds at Indira Park in Hyderabad. Babu and Vijayashanthi had gone there to show their solidarity with the agitating disabled persons.
Vijayashanthi questioned Babu as to why he was showing so much concern and shedding crocodile tears for them now. She asked Babu as to what he had done for the disabled persons during his nine-year rule. Chandra Babu was shocked with this and was seen mumbling something.
Rajashekar and his wife Jeevitah have decided to meet chief minister Y S Rajashekar Reddy and seek protection for them and their children. Rajashekar is not satisfied with the apology tendered by Chiranjeevi.
He says that Chiranjeevi fans might attack them anytime again. Hence Rajashekar will seek police protection. Police commissioner Prasada Rao said that adequate police protection would be provided for Rajashekar and his family.
2011/7/1 4:05:33 A draft of a comprehensive new law on the Rights of disabled persons was on Friday presented to Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Mukul Wasnik.
The proposed new law ‘The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2011’, drafted by a Committee appointed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, to replacing the existing Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, seeks to repeal the Persons with Disabilities Act of 1995 and to replace it with a comprehensive rights based law in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 was proposed to be replaced by a new legislation by the Ministry in the light of the experience gained in the implementation of the Act, developments that have taken place in the disability sector over the years, and also the commitments under the UNCRPD.
A Committee under the Chairpersonship of Dr Sudha Kaul, who is also the Vice Chairperson, Indian Institute for Cerebral Palsy, Kolkata, and consisting of experts and representatives of stakeholders including Central Ministries, State Governments, Civil Society Organisations and experts, including persons with disabilities was set up by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on April 30, 2010 to consider various suggestions and views and to draft a comprehensive law.(INN)
Microsoft's disabled-friendly software tools released
2011/12/3 16:22:20 (IANS) Disabled-friendly tools for application in software of common use, developed by software major Microsoft India, were released by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik Saturday on the occasion of World Disability Day
Microsoft also announced special certification programmes for those with visual, hearing and learning impairments.
Releasing the set of 40 templates for most commonly used public information circulars, forms, gazettes and notifications, Wasnik said: "Access to information is an important aspect for providing equal rights to all sections of society, including disabled people."
"Our Ministry has taken the lead step in making its website accessible to all people by various means. The templates developed by Microsoft will further ease the process," he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Microsoft India chairman Bhaskar Pramanik said: "It is estimated that there are around 70 million people with disabilities in India. Ensuring that their needs are met with and that they have an equal opportunity is crucial to the process of inclusive growth in the country."
"Our vision is to create innovative technology that is accessible to everyone and adapts to each person's needs. User-friendly public documents are a small but significant step to remove barriers, physical or otherwise, that keep individuals on the wrong side of the opportunity divide," he said.
These tools will help achieve accessibility and ensure that the documents created are useful within the government departments as well as for public consumption. The documents like five-year plan papers, annual reports, acts, laws, policies, circulars, office orders, census data, citizen charters etc, are accessible by design for those with special needs.
"The 40 templates (tools) created and released by Microsoft India today will enable governments and businesses to have accessibility incorporated at the time of creating a document itself. For example, if a template is used to create a circular, it can easily be converted into a digital talking book or a large print-output document for a visually impaired person," a statement from Microsoft said.
Rao Chelikani briefs the media at Press Meet organised by Help Age India on Elder Abuse and Crime in India at Basheer Bagh Press Club in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Commissioner of Department of Disabled and Senior Citizens Anitha Rajendra, RN Mittal, S Das and others are also seen. (INN)
2011/10/21 7:29:37 Chief Minister Sri N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday approved reservations in promotions for Physically challenged in all categories of Government services where number of posts are more than five on par with SC/ST employees.
According to the CMO, this is the first time in the history of Andhra Pradesh that such a boon has been provided to physically challenged persons in Government jobs. To implement the Rule of Reservations in promotions in favour of disabled candidates, the departments have to adopt the roster points No.6, 31, 56 as is being implemented for direct recruitment.
Rule of Reservations in promotion is sought to be extended to disabled employees in all services in the State Government on par with Rule of Reservations in promotions for SCs and STs where cadre strength is more than five.
The Chief Minister also sanctioned 205 posts of supervisors in all the nine ITDA projects of Paderu, K. R. Puram, Pavathipuram, Seethampet, Bhadrachalam, Utnoor, Chenchu ITDA, Rampachodavaram and Eturnagaram. It is also proposed to fill up all posts of supervisors in the tribal areas with local ST girls by relaxing the qualifications and 100% vacancies of supervisors of Grade-I will be reserved in favour of local ST girls who possess intermediate qualification.
The Chief Minister also sanctioned 607 teaching posts and outsourcing 388 non-teaching posts for 65 newly sanctioned degree colleges in the State under first phase.
The Chief Minister has also agreed to amend the rules for availing of Pavala Vaddi scheme for the year 2011-12. Under the amended rule, to qualify for pavalavaddi, the SHGs shall pay the instalment/EMI within 15 days from the due date or on or before the last date of the month in which the instalment/EMI is due. The stipulation will benefit every SHG irrespective of date of sanction of loan by getting reasonable grace period ranging from 15 to 30 days. (INN)
2011/9/19 23:14:46 As Moscow prepares to unveil a bronze monument of Mother Teresa, city authorities here have demolished a shelter owned by her Catholic order, citing lack of permits for the building.
The two buildings in eastern Moscow which served as a shelter for the homeless and disabled attracted City Hall's attention three years ago when the local authorities approached court to force Missionaries of Charity to demolish one of the buildings and remove the top floor of the other.
Missionaries of Charity is a Catholic religious organisation founded by Mother Teresa.
Though Russian Orthodox Church officials, including Patriarch Kirill, tried to resolve the conflict, one of the buildings was destroyed Friday.
"The demolished building was constructed with voluntary donations from people all over the world, and its destruction is a sign of blindness to human grief and contempt for those who help the poorest," Missionaries of Charity said in a statement published by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Moscow.
"Everybody knows how hard the sisters have worked for the past 20 years. Did their work bother anyone?" said Pavel Pezzi, metropolitan archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Moscow.
City Hall authorities refused to comment.
The demolition of the shelter coincides with the Sep 24 unveiling of a bronze statue of Mother Teresa near Moscow's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Mother Teresa, who was beatified soon after her death in 1997, founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950 to take care of the disabled, the elderly, alcoholics, the poor, and the homeless.
The Moscow branch, which was opened in 1990 and consists of nuns from all over the world, deals not only with abandoned children and the terminally ill but also serves as a meeting place for recovering alcoholics.
2011/11/15 10:01:31 Telugu Desam Party president Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday stated that the Rythu Porubata campaign was aimed at assuring support and required assistance to the farmers who have been facing tough times due to drought.
Talking to reporters after launching padayatra in Srikakulam as part of the Rythu Porubata, he said the plight of farmers have made one wonder if there was any government functioning in the state. He slammed the government for its failure in redressing their woes and extend succour to the hapless farmers.
Naidu said that padayatra was aimed to instil confidence among farmers and help them to face tough times boldly. He said the TDP would continue its Rythu Porubata until the farmers' problems were resolved by the government.
As part of his campaign, Naidu covered villages of V N Puram, Mattala, Nivagoan, Vanapa, Kunti Bhadra, Mharthapuram in Pathapatnam and Kothuru where he addressed a public meeting. (INN)
Parents of mentally disabled kids look for filmmakers
2011/11/28 8:57:48 Panaji, Nov 28 (IANS) If Aamir Khan's "Taare Zameen par" (TZP) triggered a ripple of social consciousness vis-a-vis autism, three women have come to IFFI this year armed with scripts and story ideas, aimed to carpet bomb the "intellectual disability" cause further.
Shalini Gupta, Neena Wagh and Kusum Tiwari - all mothers of intellectually disabled children - will conduct a special workshop for potential filmmakers and scriptwriters at the ongoing 42nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in order to create a wave of social awareness about the needs of children suffering from intellectual disabilities like autism, down syndrome and cerebral palsy.
"We have come to Goa with real story ideas, which we will share with potential filmmakers and scriptwriters. There are many more stories like 'Taare Zameen Par', 'Paa' and 'My Name Is Khan' that remain untold and there is a dire need to make films on other aspects of intellectual disability," Gupta said.
The trio are a part of Saath, a loosely strung Delhi-based non-registered collective of 250-odd parents who have specially abled children, spread across India and abroad.
"Our main problem is the lack of awareness, when it comes to intellectual disabilities. People who are blind, deaf or ones with locomotive disability can self-propagate their needs, but until recently not too many people knew about things like autism," Neena Wagh told IANS.
Wagh said that films like TZP and a teleserial named "Aapki Antara" had done well to take the message to society, which due to an absolute lack of awareness and the ability to deal with special children, did not know how to handle such children.
"But these films have helped. I remember we were going on a picnic and one rural Haryanvi bus conductor said 'madam, yeh 'Taare Zameen Par' waale bachche hain na'," Wagh said.
While Saath is scheduled to present three short audio-visual films on intellectual disability at the IFFI, festival Director Shankar Mohan said that it was a moment of inspiration from French filmmaker Bertrand Tarvernier - who was awarded the lifetime achievement award at IFFI 2011 - which resulted in this special session, where the parents would bounce off film and documentary ideas to budding filmmakers and scriptwriters on intellectual disability.
"Tarvernier, during his press conference, talked of the filmmakers' social responsibility and then I found myself talking to Shalini (Gupta), when the idea struck me that we could facilitate an interaction with the filmmakers. Films should entertain, but they should not be divorced from social responsibility," Mohan said.
2011/10/29 3:34:29 Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) The Indian cricket board Saturday rejected the draft sports regulation bill of the central government, saying it "tends to encroach upon fundamental rights of sports bodies".
In a statement after its working committee meeting here, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also alleged that certain provisions in the bill "seek to destroy the autonomy of the board and dilute the rights of its members".
"While the BCCI is all for good governance and transparency in sports bodies, certain aspects of the bill seek to destroy the autonomy of the board and dilute the rights of its members," the statement read.
"Therefore, the board is totally opposed to this bill."
The BCCI said it will communicate its objections to the ministry of youth affairs & sports shortly.
"It has to be borne in mind that 'Sports' is a state subject and the legislative competence of the central government is limited. The bill tends to encroach upon fundamental rights of sports bodies," the statement added.
Will cooperate, if CBI asks for Emaar info: Ambati
2011/8/19 3:44:39 Y S R Congress party’s official spokesperson Ambati Rambabu on Friday stated that he was ready to cooperate with Central Bureau of Investigation sleuths if they seek his help in connection with Emaar Properties.
Talking to media persons at YSR Party office in Jubilee Hills, Ambati Rambabu said that the CBI officials did not sought his help so far in connection with raids on Emmar Properties. “I am ready extend my full cooperation to CBI sleuths if they seek my assistance,” he stated.
Ambati Rambabu said that he was ready to undergo any kind of punishment if CBI proves he was involved in any irregularities while he was the chairman of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation.
Meanwhile rebel Praja Rajyam MLA Shobha Nagireddy wondered why Central Bureau of Investigation sleuths registered a case under Sec 420 of IPC for cheating against Jagan Mohan Reddy, although nobody has complained that he was cheated.
She said that Textiles and Handlooms Minister P Shankar Rao’s sole intention of filing petition in the High Court was to cause damage to the political career of Jagan Mohan Reddy. She demanded the CBI register cases against all who were part of YSR’s cabinet. (INN)
TDP to raise farmers’ woes in LS Monsoon Session: Babu
2011/7/26 3:49:44 Revealing that the Telugu Desam Party will raise the farmers’ issue during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, party president N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday called upon party workers to intensify their protests against state government for its failure to provide succour to the tillers.
Addressing representatives of all political parties during an all-party meeting on the farmers’ problems at NTR Trust Bhavan, Mr Chandrababu Naidu slammed the state government for its failure in redressing the mounting problems.
The TDP chief also invited likeminded parties across the country to join hands with it and fight on farmers’ issues. “Our fight for the farmers’ rights would continue till the state government makes farming a profitable business,” Mr Naidu vowed, predicting that if the government does not take steps to make agriculture a profitable business, a food crisis will strike the state.
He also attributed the pathetic condition of the farmers in the state to the wrong policies adopted by the government. Mr Naidu also demanded that the state government implement the MS Swaminathan Commission recommendations to better the lives of the farmers.
“Despite the farmers declaring `crop holiday’ voluntarily in some parts of state, the government has not responded in time or had taken any preventive measures,” the former chief minister said.
CPI leader Knageswara Rao, S Mallareddy from CPI (M), K Srinivasa Rao from Lok Satta Party, M Deshpande from Forward Bloc and Janakiram from Revolutionary Socialist Party attended the all-party meeting.(INN)
Ultimate star or Thala, as his fans affectionately refer him to, is not called so without a reason. The star, known for his magnanimity and generosity, has time and again proved it. This time around he is doing it with his own film, Billa.
Surprisingly, the movie’s premiere, originally scheduled on December 12, 2007 was cancelled at the behest of Ajith who felt that premieres could dampen the curiosity of the audiences by negative comments that some sections of the media might generate.
However, the show is to be held today (December 13, 2007) at the Sathyam Cinemas for a noble cause. The revenue generated from this show would be donated to Shankar Nethralaya Foundation, a leading ophthalmic specialty hospital in Chennai, which in turn will be donating it to physically disabled people.
Aynagaran Films and Pyramid Saimira group jointly host the show and the tickets are priced at Rs.2000/-. Considering that it is for a noble cause and that you get to watch your favorite star on screen before anybody else does, it isn’t a huge price. Is it?
Irrfan Khan along with his nine year old son, Babil and the crew of Teesri Manzil 302 survived a near fatal experience off the coasts of Pattaya recently; after filming for a song sequence in the film.
The local Thai crew members had forewarned the unit about high tidal waves after sunset. However, Irrfan, co-stars Lucky Ali, Deepal Shaw and director Navneet Baj Saini were too absorbed in taking shots of the dusk, and thereafter faced the rough weather.
They boarded a speed boat which had an engine failure; rescue teams could not be contacted as networks were down. 20 feet high waves kept thrashing at them. The panic stricken team was however rescued as they luckily got connected to the rescue service from Pattaya.
A special rescue team came in and towed the disabled boat carrying the cast and crew members to the mainland.
Cabinet SC announces 15-day schedule for SC, ST Sub-plan
2012/5/7 3:56:23 Hyderabad, May 7 (INN): Deputy Chief Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha on Monday assured that the Cabinet Sub-Committee on SC, ST sub-plan would submit its report to the State Government within 45 days.
Talking to reporters after the Cabinet Sub-Committee meeting at the State Secretariat, Rajanarasimha said that a 15-day scheduled has been finalised to create awareness and elicit public opinion on the SC, ST sub-plan. As per the schedule, workshops will be conducted in Nalgonda on May 16, in Hyderabad and Secunderabad on May 18, in Vijaywada on May 23 and in Mahbubnagar on May 26. Meanwhile, the Cabinet Sub-Committee will hold its next meeting on May 21, he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that a state and national-level workshop would also be conducted after the conclusion of by-elections in the State. He informed that the Election Commission has refused to give permission to take up publicity to seek public opinion for the SC, ST sub-plan. However, he said the Election Commission would be approached again to seek permission for the publicity of workshop proposed in the districts where elections are not being held.
Meanwhile, Rajanarasimha said that the Cabinet Sub-Committee would also hold meetings with all the concerned departments and NGOs. The committee will also hold an all-party meeting before finalising its report, he said.
The Cabinet Sub-Committee meeting was attended by ministers - P Balaraj, Erasu Pratap Reddy, Dr J Geetha Reddy and Dokka Manikya Varaprasad.
TDP resolves to corner government in House on farmers’ woes
2011/5/29 11:01:08
The Telugu Desam Party on Sunday decided to corner the N Kiran Kumar Reddy government in the state Assembly on its alleged failure to provide succour to the farmers.
Among the many important decisions taken on the concluding day of the party’s annual conclave Mahanadu, the TDP appointed three Committees to look into Money Transfer Scheme, Backward Classes development and farmers’ problems.
The committee will study the reasons and make recommendations to the party politburo.
The party passed a resolution stating that if the TDP is voted to back to power, it will introduce a special budget for farmers on the lines of the one in neighbouring Karnataka state.
The party also stated that it is committed to the earlier resolution on Telangana and there is no need to adopt another resolution in the Mahanadu on the separate statehood demand.
The decision on Telangana should be taken by Centre and the Congress party, the party made it clear.
It also passed a resolution, reiterating its commitment on providing 50 per cent reservation for Backward Classes in elected bodies.
Another major decision taken was not to enter into electoral alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party in the future. Party sources say that this is an attempt to woo the minorities who had largely deserted the party after Mr Naidu had lent support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre.
The TDP had also challenged YSR Congress party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy to parade his group of MLAs at Raj Bhavan and to introduce a No Trust Motion against the government instead of issuing provoking statements.
Gaddar to persuade Danam, Mukesh, MIM to support T demand
2011/7/7 8:50:20 Telangana People’s Front president and Balladeer Gaddar on Thursday said that his outfit would approach Ministers Danam Nagender and Mukesh Goud, besides the AIMIM and seek their support for separate Telangana agitation.
Talking to media persons at the Gun Park after expressing solidarity with the bus Yatra taken out by members of the Telugu Desam Party Telangana Forum, Gaddar revealed that his outfit’s leaders would approach Labour Minister Danam Nagender and Minister for Marketing and Warehousing Mukesh Goud, apart from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi and seek their support for the separate statehood demand.
Gaddar also disclosed that all Legislators who have resigned have been invited to attend the all-party meeting called for July 8 by him.
The TPF chief added that the future course of action to push forward the separate statehood demand will be discussed at the meeting.
He also demanded that the Centre stand by the December 9, 2009 statement of Union home Minister P Chidambaram and announce the formation of Telangana state.
Gaddar also condemned the arrest of journalists from Telangana and demanded their immediate release.
Telangana United Front chief Vimalakka, TDP Telangana Forum convenor Errabelli Dayakar Rao and others were also present.(INN)
2011/9/13 4:49:39 Former Karnataka Minister and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy and other accused arrested in the Obulapuram Mining case might undergo brain-mapping and polygraph tests.
According to CBI Joint Director VV Laxminarayana, the agency might seek court’s permission to conduct brain-mapping and polygraph tests on Gali Janardhan Reddy, if found necessary. However, he said besides the court’s permission Janardhan Reddy and other accused would be required to give their consent for the same.
Talking to reporters after the Special CBI Court granted seven-day CBI custody to Janardhan Reddy and Obulapuram Mining Corporation managing director BV Srinivas Reddy on Tuesday, Laxminarayana appealed to the media to observe restraint until the probing agency completes its investigation into the case of illegal mining of iron ore.
Stating that the investigation agency would question both the accused in connection with indiscriminate mining, violating all rules and regulations, Laxminarayana appealed to media to observe restraint till completion of grilling. “It will be difficult for us to provide security to witnesses and other accused due to the intervention of media and others,” he said.
Laxminarayana said that the agency would question other people based on the information given by Janardhan Reddy and Srinivas Reddy. He also said that the agency would seek the extension of their, if required. (INN)
(IANS) A 67-year-old man and his disabled wife in Britain gassed themselves in their Rolls-Royce since the husband felt he was unable to take care of his wife anymore, an inquest heard in Britain.
Bill Warburton, a retired company director, was found dead at the wheel of the car while his 66-year-old wife Mary was sitting close by in her wheelchair with her hand on the car's bonnet, the Daily Mail reported.
The couple, who were described as pillars of the local community, had planned their suicide pact after Warburton began to struggle as full-time carer to his wife, who could barely walk and suffered from spells of confusion. Richard, the couple's son, found their bodies several days after they were last seen by family and a neighbour, the hearing was told.
The father had been feeling a bit low since his wife returned home following a hospital stay, Richard Warburton told the inquest. He said his mother had been in hospital for three or four months and his father was "quite happy she was getting the care that she needed".
"He could go and see her."
"When she came home, she needed 24-hour care and he found it very difficult," the son said.
"But he (the father) was of the generation that thought you did not take help and if offered you say no - you can deal with it," Richard added.
TRS Executive Panel to discuss support for Nagam’s fast
2011/6/26 9:59:54 The Telangana Rashtra Samithi will convene an Executive Committee meeting on June 28 to discuss the strategy to be adopted on the separate Telangana statehood issue, besides the question whether to extend support to the hunger fast announced by suspended Telugu Desam Party leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy.
According to sources, the TRS Executive Committee will discuss the future course of action plan to be adopted on Telangana agitation, including whether to decide to seek the resignations of all leaders from the region to mount pressure on the Centre. The Executive Committee meeting would be chaired by party president K Chandrasekhar Rao.
Sources say that KCR is likely to discuss latest political situation in the state with senior party leaders and the important question of extending support to the hunger fast announced by Mr Janardhan Reddy. The suspended TDP MLA has announced that he would fast on July 3 and 4 to push forward the separate Telangana demand.
KCR would also shift the focus of the party leaders on strengthening the TRS in the village, gram, mandal and district level in the Telangana region.
According to sources, the Executive Committee would also discuss whether to seek the support of like-minded parties, the BJP, CPI, BSP, in its fight for the separate state.
The meeting would also discuss the forthcoming plenary of the YSR Congress Party. Indications are that the YSR Congress Party would announce its stand on Telangana state after its maiden plenary.(INN)
Chief Minister Sri N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday approved reservations in promotions for Physically challenged in all categories of Government services where number of posts are more than five on par with SC/ST employees.
As Moscow prepares to unveil a bronze monument of Mother Teresa, city authorities here have demolished a shelter owned by her Catholic order, citing lack of permits for the building.
Telugu Desam Party president Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday stated that the Rythu Porubata campaign was aimed at assuring support and required assistance to the farmers who have been facing tough times due to drought.
Former Karnataka Minister and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy and other accused arrested in the Obulapuram Mining case might undergo brain-mapping and polygraph tests.
