State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities K.V. Rajanna on Saturday expressed concern that allocations from World Bank-funded projects were not reaching the genuine beneficiaries because of lack of planning and poor implementation.

He was speaking after inaugurating a workshop titled, Nammalli Arivu, on ‘Institutional and policy framework for persons with disabilities', organised by Young Voices. The workshop was held under the aegis of Leonard Cheshire Disability in partnership with National Federation of the Blind at the KAS Officers' Hall in the city.

“In Karnataka, the number of persons with disabilities in the government rolls is less than 5,000. This is far less when compared with the situation in many neighbouring States where more than 25,000 disabled persons are employed in the government sector. It is unfortunate that the benefits of the available government schemes are not reaching the genuine beneficiaries,” Mr. Rajanna said.

Expressing displeasure that many persons with disabilities were being denied property rights by their own families, the Commissioner said even banks were not coming forward to extend loan facilities to them.

Entitlements

During the workshop, nearly 100 members representing more than 15 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community organisations were provided information about the various social entitlements that are available and the process of accessing them.

Amarnath, coordinator of the Information and Counselling Cell, Department for the Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens, explained the process of accessing the available government benefits in the State.

Victor John Cordeiro, Manager (Advocacy and Campaigning) of Leaonard Cheshire Disability spoke about the various rights available to them and explained the significance of United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.