By Agartala Correspondent | Tripura 24.in AGARTALA | March 11, 2026
AGARTALA: Seeking the direct intervention of the state government to address the long-standing grievances of the visually impaired community, the All Tripura Blind Association submitted a comprehensive 24-point memorandum at the Civil Secretariat today. The deputation was placed before the Special Secretary of the Social Welfare and Social Education (SWSE) Department, Shri Tapan Kumar Das.
The delegation, led by the Association’s General Secretary Mithun Saha, highlighted the socio-economic challenges faced by blind individuals across the state and urged for immediate policy reforms.
The 24-Point Charter: Key Demands
The memorandum outlines a visionary roadmap for the empowerment and dignity of the visually impaired. Major points include:
- Employment Opportunities: Filling up the 4% reservation quota for Divyangjan in all government departments, with a specific focus on identified posts for the blind.
- Pension Hike: Increasing the monthly social security pension for blind persons to help them cope with the rising cost of living.
- Educational Support: Providing accessible study materials, Braille books, and modern assistive technology in all government schools and colleges.
- Special Educator Recruitment: Urgent recruitment of trained special educators to ensure quality education for visually impaired students.
- Infrastructure Accessibility: Making all public buildings, transport hubs, and parks “blind-friendly” with tactile paving and audio signals.
- Healthcare Facilities: Free health insurance and specialized medical camps for the visually impaired in every district.
- Housing Priority: Allocation of government housing schemes on a priority basis to families with blind members.
“Dignity, Not Charity”: General Secretary Mithun Saha
Speaking to the media after the deputation, General Secretary Mithun Saha emphasized that the community is not asking for charity but for their fundamental rights as citizens.
”We have placed 24 points that are essential for our survival and integration into mainstream society. From backlog recruitment to accessible infrastructure, we need concrete action. The Special Secretary has listened to us patiently, and we hope the department will take these demands to the ministerial level for swift implementation,” Saha said.
Prominent Members Present
The deputation was characterized by the presence of veteran activists and representatives from across Tripura, including:
- Haridas Datta
- Arun Kumar Roy
- Subrata Sarkar
- Thakurchan Das
- Prashanta Palit
Administrative Response
Special Secretary Tapan Kumar Das reportedly assured the delegation that the department would examine each point of the memorandum. He noted that the state government is committed to the welfare of the Divyangjan and that several of the administrative issues raised would be reviewed on a priority basis.
