The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Manda Krishna calls off fast

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Friday, Mar 14, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Manda Krishna calls off fast

Monthly pension for physically challenged hiked

HYDERABAD: The three-day-old indefinite hunger strike by Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti (MRPS) leader Manda Krishna was called off on Thursday after Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy announced a hike in the monthly pension for the physically challenged persons and also assured to issue a Government Order within a month on 34 other demands.

Dr. Reddy said that a monthly pension of Rs.500 would be given to those suffering from 60 per cent disability, Rs.600 (up to 80 per cent) and Rs.700 (80 to 100 per cent).

Mr. Krishna called off the fast after Dr. Reddy deputed Mallu Ravi, A.P. Government’s special representative to communicate the Government’s decision.

‘Historic victory’

Describing the hike as “big and historic victory” for Vikalungala Porata Samiti following the struggle launched in August last, he said that such an agitation to fight for rights of physically challenged persons was not witnessed anywhere else in the country.

He said the Government agreed to issue an order within a month for implementing the other demands which were accepted earlier.

Demands

They include enacting a legislation on the lines of prevention of SC/ST atrocities act, payment of scholarships on par with SC/ST students, reservations in job promotions, incentive of Rs.10,000 for marrying a physically challenged person and to provide houses on the ground floor under the Rajiv Gruhakalpa Scheme.

Another demand was that the statue of Louis Braille should be erected in the city and unveiled on his birth anniversary.

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