SHILLONG: Social Welfare Minister Deborah Marak has asked the transport department to reserve the first row of public transport system buses for the physically disabled.
Speaking on the occasion of International Day for Persons with Disabilities at Williamnagar on Thursday, Marak asked the District Deputy Commissioner to ensure that the first row in the public transport system be reserved for persons with disabilities.
She also lauded the District Social Welfare Officer as well as the district administration for simultaneously organizing the assessment camp for the disabled on the occasion of International Day for Persons with Disabilities for enabling the registration of such persons in the entire district.
The minister also informed that three per cent job reservation had been created since 2006 both in Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) and the District Selection Committees (DSCs) for persons with disabilities having medical certificates.
Besides, she also said that the Social Welfare department gives scholarships to the differently-abled students to enable them to pursue their studies up to post-graduation level. Marak informed that grants-in-aid for running of special schools by NGOs and voluntary organizations are also being provided and urged the parents and stake-holders to come forward to avail the facilities being provided by the Social Welfare department.