COIMBATORE: The Tamil Nadu West wing of National Federation of Blind has demanded a social security plan.

The Government should bring poorly qualified visually impaired persons from below poverty line families under the scheme and provide 30 kg rice a month, Rs. 1,500 as special monthly assistance and free housing, says a release from the organisation.

It should increase to Rs. 700 the monthly food allowance provided to visually challenged students studying in special schools, fill up vacancies in such schools, provide Braille text books right at the beginning of academic year and impart computer education.

Unemployment aid

Likewise, the Government should hike unemployment assistance to Rs. 500 for those with high school qualification, Rs. 1,000 for people with higher secondary qualification and Rs. 1,500 for graduates and triple the readers' allowance given to visually challenged college students.

On the employment front, the Federation has urged the State Government to impress upon companies with which it has entered into MoUs to provide jobs to visually challenged people in skilled and unskilled sectors, organise special recruitment drive to fill up group ‘C' and ‘D' vacancies in all departments, public sector undertakings and organisations under its control.

The Federation has also asked for the appointment of the differently-abled persons with qualification in music against vacancies in Government schools, time-bound promotion and redeployment of the people in other departments in the event of closure of a public sector enterprise.

The organisation also asked for allocation on a priority basis of shops owned by civic bodies in the State, the release adds.

Courtesy - Hindu