HYDERABAD, February 1: The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) Telangana State Committee has expressed dissatisfaction with the Union Budget 2025, alleging negligence in allocations for disabled welfare.
Members of the NPRD staged a protest at RTC Cross Road in Hyderabad, burning copies of the budget documents to voice their discontent. State President K. Venkat and General Secretary Adivaiah highlighted that, despite a 4% increase in the allocation to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, the funds remain insufficient relative to the disabled population.
They pointed out that only 0.025% of the total budget is allocated to disabled welfare. The NPRD is demanding a revision of the budget to allocate 5% specifically for disabled welfare. They also called for the implementation of the Pension Rights Act, an increase in pensions from ₹300 to ₹5,000, and the inclusion of 21 types of disabilities recognized under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
To further press their demands, the NPRD plans to hold a massive protest in Delhi on February 10. They have also called for district-level protests on February 2, urging the burning of budget documents to protest the perceived negligence in allocations.
