KATHMANDU, July 7: The visually impaired community has suspended its two-week-long protest at Maitighar Mandala after reaching an agreement with the government to initiate steps toward addressing its demands.
The agreement was reached during talks held at the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security. Under the agreement, the ongoing sit-in protest has been suspended with immediate effect.
The two sides also agreed that members of the visually impaired community will be allowed to continue their street-based musical performances, art exhibitions and other livelihood activities at their current locations without obstruction until the end of Shrawan or until their demands are addressed.
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The ministry has committed to coordinating with the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment, the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, and the Ministry of Education and Sports to facilitate the implementation of the protesters' demands.
The protesters have demanded employment opportunities based on skills, qualifications and capacity, vocational training, seed capital and market access for visually impaired people deprived of educational opportunities, and livelihood allowances for those unable to work due to age or other reasons.
They have also sought free healthcare, assistive devices and technologies for all visually impaired people and their dependent family members, effective implementation of the existing 50 percent discount on public road and air transport upon presentation of disability identity cards, free general and technical education for children of visually impaired parents in both private and community schools, and concessional collateral-free loans of up to Rs 1 million repayable over 10 years for those interested in starting businesses.
Following the talks, both sides agreed to continue regular dialogue and inter-ministerial coordination to address the community's legitimate demands in phases. They also agreed to work with the concerned agencies to ensure effective implementation of the agreed measures.
With the agreement, the protest at Maitighar Mandala has been suspended for the time being, while both the government and representatives of the visually impaired community expressed confidence that continued dialogue and cooperation would help achieve a long-term resolution to the issues raised.
