Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Nov 11: Around one lakh blind and visually impaired people in Jammu and Kashmir are expressing feelings of neglect, as they continue to face challenges without adequate institutional support. From daily struggles to systemic indifference, this community feels abandoned by both their families and the government, despite claims of welfare provisions on paper.
Several blind and visually impaired individuals shared their frustration, saying there is a lack of implementation of promises made by successive governments.
Hanif Ahmad, a visually impaired resident of Srinagar, expressed concerns over the government’s failure to translate its claims into tangible assistance. “The government claims that there are facilities for physically challenged persons, but these promises remain unfulfilled,” he said, adding that although a four percent reservation is supposedly allocated for people with disabilities, it has largely failed to materialise on the ground.
Ahmad said that while people with low vision have found some employment opportunities, those who are completely blind have been consistently overlooked. “The government says the blind can’t do anything, so why don’t they increase our monthly pension to a reasonable amount—something higher than the Rs 1,000 that we currently receive?” he demanded.
Hanif also criticised the practice of issuing disability certificates to people who don’t meet the criteria. “This leads to deserving candidates being denied positions set aside for disabled individuals,” he said.
He said blind and visually impaired people face difficulties even in availing of basic public services. “Fixed bus stops should be established, where seats at the front would genuinely be reserved for them,” he said.
“While the first two seats on buses are supposedly reserved for us, that rarely happens in practice,” Ahmad said, adding that the lack of infrastructure and awareness exacerbates their struggles.
Hanif also said that visually impaired persons face discrimination during examinations, where they are often not provided with qualified writers, thus hindering their ability to perform. He highlighted the financial difficulties faced by the community, saying many struggling to pay bills, including electricity charges, which are the same as those of normal households.
We also face challenges in accessing benefits such as BPL (Below Poverty Line) cards and loans, primarily due to our inability to find guarantors, he added.
Saima Jan, a visually impaired woman from Bijbehara, expressed concerns particularly regarding job reservations. “Even though a four percent reservation is meant to be provided, people with other disabilities, such as hearing or orthopaedic impairments, are taking up those jobs. The blind are being neglected,” she said.
Jan also said that blind persons face social isolation, particularly those who are uneducated. “Many blind people who cannot read or work are neglected even by their own families. They are left to fend for themselves, and many face financial hardship,” she added.
For many visually impaired individuals, the situation is dire. “Our issues are more grievous than those faced by orphans. Orphans may need one-time help, but we need support throughout our lives,” said one person.
The visually impaired persons expressed concern about the lack of empathy from both their families and the wider community, saying that the government’s neglect is exacerbating their situation.
The visually impaired community has now turned their hopes to the newly formed government, seeking intervention from Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo. They have called on her to address their grievances, particularly by implementing policies that guarantee real benefits and support for blind and visually impaired people.
A senior official in the Social Welfare Department acknowledged the importance of addressing the needs of weaker sections, including those with physical disabilities. However, the official said there are currently no specific programmes or schemes tailored to the visually impaired.
“The department has broader initiatives for people with disabilities but there is a gap when it comes to direct support for the blind community,” he said.
