NREGA Is A Crutch For The Physically Challenged

GADAG

People with physical disabilities are often looked down upon. Many people assume that they cannot do anything. But this special couple is a testament to the fact that they too can work and become self-reliant.

In Nagavi village, they have been given a house construction job under NREGA for three weeks. Hulageppa Subbappa Chalwadi and Shantavva Hulageppa Chalwadi, a disabled couple from the village, have been working on job security for three to four years. Hulageppa cannot see properly in one eye. His wife Shantavva has one hand that is disabled. Despite this, the couple's enthusiasm for working has not diminished. The couple has three children, two of whom are daughters, who are married. One of the sons also works as a daily wage labourer. The couple, who live in a large family, do not own any land. The house itself is all there is to live in the village. With the aim of getting a little help with household expenses, he has been working under the employment guarantee for three weeks this year.

He expresses pride in providing work without any discrimination under the employment guarantee. The disabled, who are facing physical disabilities in the employment guarantee work, such as the blind, the handless, the mute, the deaf, and so on, who are living a difficult life, are working under the NREGA in the gram panchayats of the taluk. The Mahatma Gandhi Employment Guarantee Scheme has now helped them to make a living as self-reliant.

Apart from these, the villagers and panchayats are taking interest in providing work to many others, which is conducive to the happy life of the disabled. For those who feel that it was a mistake to be born disabled, the NREGA scheme has given them the hope of a new life, love and care. The NREGA scheme is also giving us work and higher wages, and also giving us peace of mind,’ says Hulageppa Chalavadi, expressing his happiness.

During the summer season, under the Dudiyona Ba campaign, the disabled are getting jobs in Idur. Since the NREGA wage has been increased to Rs. 370 per day, the disabled are happily working under NREGA and leading a self-sufficient life, Mallaiah Koravanavara, Executive Officer, Taluk Panchayat.