A one- day consultation as part of Voluntary National Review on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) was held here by international development organisation Sightsavers. The consultation was attended by more than 50 representatives of disability networks and groups working across the State. This year the progress on SDGs was reviewed. It addressed the concerns and voices of the persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the implementation of these global commitments and timeline.

Various policies and programmes implemented by the State and Centre were discussed. The consultation was moderated by acclaimed disability rights practitioner Ketan Kothari, who is advocacy manager with Sightsavers. Speaking on the occasion State head, Sightsavers Akbar Mehfuz Alam spoke about the need of developing a periodic review mechanism at the State level to monitor the progress of SDGs in promoting the lives of PWDs. The consultation highlighted the need of promoting specific and inclusive approach to include PWDs and other vulnerable groups in various Government programmes, schemes and institutions.

Among others, blind cricketers Jafar Iqbal , Sukhram Majhi  and Sannys Kumar Behera, the first visually impaired State civil service qualifier, attended.

Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions//meet-held-for-disabled-in-city-issues-discussed.html