Demo in front of CMs residence on November 25

BANGALORE: The Karnataka State Disabled and Caregivers Federation (KSDCF) will hold a demonstration in front of the Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda’s residence on November 25 to attract the State Government’s attention to a number of issues concerning the physically challenged and the destitute. “Since April this year, government pension has been stopped for the disabled and destitute women. This has led to suffering and starvation, as the pension was their only source of support,” G N Nagaraj, president, KSDCF, told reporters here. “We have taken the matter up with Deputy Commissioners, Tahsildars and State Government officials. We have been given vague reasons every time, so we have decided to assemble in front of the CM’s residence on November 25,” he said.  He added that the revenue officials had been causing anomalies in the name of verification. “The officials would just sit at home and verify the eligible pensioners. This arm-chair verification has deprived many from their rightful pension,” said Nagaraj. According to pension scales, disabled receive Rs 400 per month and the severely disabled receive Rs 1000 per month. KSDCF will also raise the issue of providing employment to the disabled. “Almost 95% of the disabled are employable, but the Government is not providing any employment avenues for them”, added Nagaraj. He stated that a special recruitment drive will be pressed for to end this ‘decade- long torment.’