KOTHARA (MAHARASHTRA): Melghat Viklang Jan Sangthan, a district-level organisation of persons with disabilities, promoted by The Leprosy Mission Trust India’s IHDID (Inclusive Holistic Development of Individuals with Disabilities) project, organised a planning meeting at TLM Kothara Hospital, on April 20, where 30 block-level and district-level office-bearers of Disabled Peoples’ Organisations (DPO) participated.

Melghat Viklang Jan Sangthan is advocating for sanctioning 3 percent reserved funds for the development of its members, including them in the skill development initiatives, accessing social security schemes, and supporting them for organic farming, among others.

The organisation is seeking ways to work with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), an apex development financial institution for the development of persons with disabilities, and a few of its members are attending a 2-day workshop being organised by NABARD, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, from April 26 to 27 to explore possibilities.