Include us in manifesto, hike allowance, boost infra, disabled voters tell netas

Kolkata: People with disabilities from different parts of the city demanded their inclusion in political manifestos so that the new govt, to be formed next month, drew up policies for their welfare.

During a panel discussion organised by an NGO, NIP, on Friday, about 100 disabled voters conveyed their demand to the representatives of different political parties, the most prominent of them being a hike in the disability allowance from the existing Rs 1,000 a month to Rs 5,000 a month by the new govt. "In the run-up to elections, parties come up with their manifestos but the welfare of disabled people like us hardly gets highlighted. What can we do with the paltry monthly allowance of Rs 1,000? Whichever party forms the new govt, we want it to raise the allowance so that we don't have to beg. I am also a disabled person and banking on the monthly allowance that I save, I help out others," said Sanjay Singh, secretary of an organisation for disabled people in Paikpara.


New Alipore resident Suman Bhattacharya, an autism activist, raised the need for proper infrastructure for the education of children with disabilities. "My son, Binayak Ruku, is autistic but he can do everything, like others. Govt schools do not have special educators for students with disabilities, such as autism. There ought to be employment avenues for them as well. I want the new govt to look into it and to be more inclusive," she said.

BJP functionary Bimal Sankar Nanda announced that if his party was voted to power, the allowance would be doubled, making it Rs 2,000 a month. But when many expressed their displeasure at the low hike, Nanda pacified the audience, saying, "My sister is disabled and I understand your woes."

Kanti Ganguly, a CPM veteran, pointed out that several sponsored schools for the disabled were being pushed to the brink of closure in absence of funds. "Going beyond politics, we need to work for the welfare of these people," he said. Echoing him, Raj Kumar Basak of SUCI said, "We don't deem disabled people as a vote bank. They are human beings and all of us (politicians) should fight for them."

Nepo Mondal, a blind voter, told the politicians: "If you don't look into our issues, we will not vote."
Get real-time updates and result insights on Telangana intermediate results 2026.