Tadepalli, July 2: YSRCP Disabled Wing President Kiran Raj strongly condemned the coalition government’s discriminatory policies and actions against persons with disabilities in Andhra Pradesh. Kiran Raj stated that the government is targeting the disabled with undue scrutiny and harassment under the guise of re-verification processes, resulting in the unjust cancellation of pensions for over one lakh individuals.
The coalition government has subjected 4.5 lakh disabled persons to a re-verification process, branding one lakh of them as holders of “bogus” disability certificates and stripping them of their pensions.
“How can individuals recognized as disabled before the elections suddenly be deemed non-disabled now?” he questioned. This arbitrary process not only undermines the dignity of the disabled but also endangers lives, as inadequate facilities at verification centers have led to tragic outcomes, including loss of life. The government must provide compensation to families of those who died during this ordeal.
Kiran Raj further criticized the government for halting welfare initiatives introduced by the previous YSRCP administration, such as financial assistance for the marriages of disabled persons. The coalition is making baseless allegations that the previous government issued disability certificates for profit, calling such claims “reprehensible and defamatory.” Additionally, reports suggest that certain individuals are exploiting the verification process for personal gain, further compounding the community’s suffering.
YSRCP Disabled Wing also expressed dismay at Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s silence on these issues, despite his earlier promises to champion the cause of the disabled. “He claimed to have founded a party to question injustice, yet he remains silent and inaccessible to us now,” Kiran Raj stated. The lack of basic transportation and support for disabled persons attending verification centers has added to their hardships.
YSRCP Disabled Wing demands an immediate review of the re-verification process, reinstatement of pensions for those unfairly targeted, and compensation for families affected by fatalities during verifications. “If the government continues its oppressive policies, we will be forced to launch a statewide movement to demand justice,” warned Kiran Raj.
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