The State Government was committed to provide equal opportunities and protecting the rights of the disabled persons and various schemes had been initiated for their welfare. This was stated by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil here today while presiding over a meeting of State level Coordination Committee constituted for providing equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation to physically disabled members of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes and Minorities.
Shandil directed for wide publicity of various programmes and schemes being implemented for these sections and holding medical camps especially in the far flung areas of the State. He said that as per the survey conducted in 2001, there were 155932 disabled persons in the State and the Department had so far issued disability identity cards to 72,173 persons.
The Minister said that the State Government was providing disability allowance from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000 to as many as 37,800 disabled persons and Rs. 350 to Rs. 750 per month were being given as scholarship to all disabled students getting education from 1st class to polytechnics level in government sector. Besides, such students were also being given facility of free education upto University level.
He said that a provision of three percent reservation had been made for disabled persons for job in government sector.
Principal Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment P.C. Dhiman detailed about the various welfare schemes being implemented for the welfare of disabled persons. He also suggested for providing health cards to the students.
