The Honourable President
Smt. Pratibha Patil and
Delegation Representing Persons
Affected by Leprosy
Photo: Mr S K Dutta

 

On 14th September 2011 the Honourable President Smt. Pratibha Patil gave assurance that she will look into the issues faced by persons affected by leprosy and help them to lead a stigma-free, honourable and purposeful life and also try for total elimination of leprosy from the country. This assurance was given to a high level delegation led by Shri Ram Naik, former Petroleum Minister.

The delegation included Dr P K Gopal, President of the National Forum of Persons Affected by Leprosy, Dr S D Gokhale, Chairman of the International Leprosy Union, Shri Uday Thakar of Hind Kushtha Nivaran Sangh, Shri Baliram Tambade, President, Maharashtra Kushthapidit Sanghatna, Shri Bhimrao Madhale, President, Sanjay Nagar Rahivasi Sangh, Mumbai, and Shri S K Dutta, Delhi activist.

Explaining the background of the issue Shri Ram Naik said, "I, along with prominent persons working in the field of leprosy, and also some persons affected by leprosy staying in self-settled colonies, had presented a petition to the Rajya Sabha about the problems and also empowerment of persons affected by leprosy on 5th December 2007. The Petition Committee chaired by Shri M Venkaiah Naidu submitted their Report to the House on 24th October 2008 after consideration, discussion, visits to some states and also some self-settled colonies. After receiving the replies from various departments and discussions with concerned ministries, the Action Taken Report (ATR) was tabled by the Petitions Committee in the House on 22nd November 2010. The original Report and the ATR made several recommendations for empowerment of persons affected by leprosy. We were happy with the recommendations."

"However, as the recommendations related to various ministries, we thought it advisable to meet the Honourable Prime Minister for their speedy implementation. Accordingly we addressed our first letter on 1st January 2011 seeking his appointment for personal discussion. As there was no response, we repeated our requests by two reminder letters dated 20th January and 10th February and finally the fourth S.O.S. letter on 9th March 2011. We failed to get the appointment from the Prime Minister. Meanwhile the United Nations General Assembly adopted a historical Resolution no. 65/215 dated 25th March 2011 about 'Elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their families' and also issued 'Principles and guidelines' for their implementation. We therefore decided to approach the highest authority of the nation, namely the Honourable President. Accordingly we placed our suggestions and also demands today before the Honourable President", added Shri Ram Naik.

The delegation pleaded with the Honourable President over the following demands:

 Formulation of a comprehensive socio-economic rehabilitation policy to empower persons affected by leprosy;
 Amendments to the provisions of 16 Acts mentioned in the original Petition;
 Enhancement of pension to Rs. 2,000/- per month for every person affected by leprosy and a standardised pension in all States;
 Provision of social and economic benefits given to persons below the poverty line and handicapped persons to be given to all persons affected by leprosy;
 Provision of civic amenities to self-settled colonies of persons affected by leprosy;
 Provision of higher educational facilities and scholarships for children of persons affected by leprosy;
 Removal of VAT imposed on products produced by persons affected by leprosy;
 Nomination of persons affected by leprosy onto the National Rural Health Mission on state and district level committees as well as nomination of persons affected by leprosy on the Rehabilitation Council of India;
 Conducting a fresh all-India survey to assess the increase and/or elimination of leprosy.
 Implementation of WHO Guidelines for Strengthening Participation of Persons Affected by Leprosy in Leprosy Services.

“We are happy about the discussion and the assurances given by the Honourable President. We eagerly look forward to their implementation”, said Shri Ram Naik at the end.

Categories: India