The Hindu: Chennai:
Wednesday, April 10, 2013.
A group of
visually impaired men and women protested near Valluvar Kottam on Monday,
demanding government jobs.
The
protestors, from various parts of the State, said they had been trained on the
assurance that they would be given jobs in the government-run printing press.
“Through the
RTI Act we have learned there are 263 vacancies in the press. If we are given
jobs, these vacancies could be filled,” said M. Ramachandran, one of the
protestors.
“All of us
had recommendations from MPs and MLAs to undergo the book binding course. Those
who qualify are automatically absorbed into the press since we have been
recommended for the course,” he explained.
R. Saravana
Kumar, 34, who is from Madurai said he had recommendations from six elected
representatives to join the course. “I had recommendations from three MLAs and
three ministers. “Anybody who has studied up to class VIII or X can do the
course. There are now 65 qualified binders and none of us has been given a
job,” he said.
The
protestors were also worried that the course would be discontinued, leaving a
segment of the rural population with fewer job opportunities than before.
“Until 2002, the government was conducting a course called ‘fitter’. It was
taught at the school for the visually challenged in Poonamallee. Students were
absorbed into the electrical department of the press. In 2003, there were 160
persons who were qualified for the job but since they had not been absorbed for
several years the course was struck down,” Mr. Kumar said.
Every year,
20 candidates are admitted to the book binding course. For several years now,
qualified students have been petitioning officials of the social welfare
department and the State commissioner for the disabled for jobs, without much
success.
The
protestors said they would continue their agitation on Tuesday too, hoping to
draw the attention of the Chief Minister.
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