GUWAHATI: The Assam government has spent over Rs 1600 lakh for the welfare of disabled people in the past five years as the total number of persons with disabilities stood at 5,30,300 as per 2001 data.
Replying to a question in the state Assembly on Wednesday, Social Welfare Minister Akon Bora informed that there are 2,97,516 male and 2,32,784 female disabled persons in the state according to 2001 data.
Cachar district has the highest number of 53,438 disabled persons (as per 2001 data), followed by Nagaon district with 44,624 people and Kamrup with 43,883 people.
Mr Bora elaborated on the various welfare schemes the state government was implementing for such persons, including those with Central government assistance.
On the money spent for welfare of the disabled persons, the minister said a total of Rs 1621.59 lakh had been spent in the past five years. Of this, the highest amount of Rs 841.32 lakh was spent in 2010-11, Mr Bora added. (UNI)