Thiruvananthapuram: Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has launched the logo of Ekta, the KSU's new initiative for the empowerment of wheelchair-bound people. The campaign aims at converting the public places like schools and colleges, bus stands and shopping malls accessible to them. They launched the campaign ahead of Saturday's GST rollout which comes as a body blow to the challenged as their essentials like wheelchairs attract a flat 18 percent tax.
Eric Stephen, the KSU secretary, launched Ekta along with Soulfree of former Tamil Nadu women’s cricket captain Preethi Sreenivasan. KSU president K. M. Abhijith has the overall charge of Ekta. Ananthu, a student of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pattom, received the logo from Mr Chandy at his home at Jagathy here. Mr Chandy told reporters that it was unfortunate that the wheelchair users come in a higher tax bracket.
“It's contrary to the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, that exempted them from customs and VAT. KPCC will take up this issue and fight for their rights,” he said. Mr Stephen, 27, got the wholehearted support of the KSU leadership. A public administration student, he said he was motivated to bring ‘change’ in the public space after his former classmate at IGNOU, Nincy Mariam Mondly, a paraplegic, found it difficult to move around on the campus. “I wanted the bus stands, buses, schools and colleges barrier-free so that they can go everywhere without help. Fortunately, I got the support from the party and now AICC secretary P. C. Vishnunath will flag off the statewide campaign at Kasaragod,” Mr Stephen, who is also an engineering graduate, told DC.
A short film contest with a prize money of Rs 20, 000 on wheelchair users theme, wall painting competition and exhibitions will be held across the state in designated colleges as part of the campaign.
