Karnataka Budget missed out on job creation for disabled: Activists

Bengaluru: Though the state budget has announced allocation of Rs 4 crore towards the 'Swavalambana' insurance scheme for the differently-abled and other measures, activists said nothing has been done regarding their employability and early treatment of children with disability.

The scheme would cover 1.12 lakh differently-abled people, who will have to pay an annual premium of Rs 357. Improved two-wheelers will also be provided to some 4,000 differently-abled in the State.

"New schemes and some allocation has been done for this segment, but the government has missed the crucial area which is early intervention in children disability and some focus could have been brought onto this important area," said V.S. Basavaraju, CEO, Disability NGOs Alliance (DNA).

He said if children in the age bracket of 0-6 years are treated and intervention programmes are undertaken, then the mainstreaming of such children into proper schools becomes much easier.

According to the latest population census, around 13.2 lakh people in the State are differently-abled and their inclusion has been an issue that has been debated and discussed many times by experts.

Mahantesh G.K., Founder, Samarthan and the President for The Cricket Association for the Blind, welcomed the allocation made for the differently-abled in sports, but felt the budget needs to concentrate more on this section of the population.

"Some new schemes have been introduced, but more support system needs to be created. The government should have looked into the issue of Inclusion and employability of this marginalized segment as well," he added.

Basaraju said unless the government lays stress on inclusion and accessibility in the budget, there will be little improvement in the condition of the disabled. Mere welfare measures are not helpful in the long run. There should be an attitude change in all the departments regarding the differently-abled, he added.