MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): A number of physically challenged persons in northern Balkh province say they cannot meet their needs with their meager monthly stipends, demanding an increase in the pay.
Some disabled persons claim their salaries have been significantly decreased while others say they have not been paid due to lack of budget.
They say previously they received 5,000 afghanis monthly salary, but now the amount has been cut to 3,000 afghanis per month.
Ghulam Sakhi, one of the disabled men in Mazar-i-Sharif city, said he received his monthly stipend on time, but complained the amount had been reduced.
Sakhi explained the government paid him 5,000 afs monthly salary in the past against the current 3,000 afs.
He said their monthly stipend was not enough to cover their expenses considering the country’s current economic situation.
Mohammad Asif, another disabled person and father of five children, said he could not work and his monthly salary was insufficient to meet his family’s needs.
Asif said he previously received 60,000 afghanis annually, but now his salary had decreased to 36,000 afs.
He added: “I was paid 60,000 afs annually and that amount was also not enough to respond to my needs. Nevertheless currently I am paid half of my salary. The government must consider the current dire situation of the country.”
Khal Mohammad, another disabled person, said he could not work either and the government must pay more attention to his problems.
He asked the government for an increase in his salary and urged humanitarian organizations to provide him assistance.
Provincial Martyrs and Disabled Affairs director Jan Mohammad Hikmat said that they paid salaries to 5000 disabled persons, but some of them were not paid their stipends due to lack of budget.
“The government is trying to pay salaries to all disabled people this year and introduce the neediest ones to other humanitarian organisations for further assistance”, Hikmat said.
aw/ma
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