Days after senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab Partap Singh Bajwa threw a letter bomb on the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh demanding State Advocate-General Atul Nanda’s expulsion, the Patiala Royal on Sunday received another letter from his party legislator raising issues concerning human resource development.

Congress MLA from Ferozepur City Parminder Singh Pinki has shot off a letter to the Chief Minister raising several issues concerning the physically challenged, besides the people’s health, expressing hope that Capt Amarinder would prioritise the same.

Pinki, in his letter, has sought monthly allowance for the physically challenged persons, along with organising district wise camps for them, issuing certificates to access certain facilities like travel, among other things.

“I am inviting your attention to an issue that is concerned with the society at large….It is about the disabled persons in Punjab,” said Pinki.

He added, “I recently organised a camp for the handicapped in Ferozepur during which I realised the extent and depth of their problem and cater to the needs of 1,562 such disabled persons. They virtually are a neglected section of the society going by their unmitigated problems.”

Underlining that the number of handicapped in Punjab is more than six lakhs as per official figures, Pinki said that such camps should be organized in every district from time-to-time.

“The persons certified as handicapped should be given monthly allowance. This is all the more important in case of those who belong to the weaker sections of society,” he suggested adding that they have a right to dignified life and the allowance would be just one step in that direction.

He suggested that the physically challenged should be issued certificates that would enable to access certain facilities like travel. They should have better access to education and employment opportunities, he added.

Pinki added another significant issue that needs to be given proper focus is the “health” of the people. “Open Gyms should be set up in the public parks in every city and towns of the State,” said Pinky pointing that this facility has been provided only in some areas and the same should be available to the people at large, especially in rural areas.