The human rights commission on Tuesday called for an increase in the pension for people with different abilities and suggested an awareness drive to focus on the rights of the challenged.

Bihar State Human Rights Commission member Rajendra Prasad on Tuesday said pension given to such people is meagre. “At present, a meagre amount is given to the disabled. The Centre gives only Rs 200 as pension to the disabled. These people have to spend more money on conveyance. The government should give Rs 20,000 a month as disability pension,” he said while addressing a seminar on the role of NGOs for the empowerment of disabled people.

Prasad added that the government should provide financial assistance to disabled children till they complete education and become independent. “We can only help the disabled if we understand their pain. The society should have a sensitive approach towards them,” he said.

Social welfare minister Parveen Amanullah, who inaugurated the seminar, said: “There is an urgent need to spread awareness about the Person with Disabilities Act, 1995. Many people still don’t know about the act.”

Bihar State Child Rights Protection Commission chairperson Nisha Jha said NGOs should try to focus on one issue at a time. Former state disability commissioner B.K. Singh said: “Many children don’t get vaccination at the right time and develop physical disabilities later.”