NONGPOH: Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Pal Gurjar launched the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) at NSCA Mini Stadium here on Tuesday.
RVY is a central scheme that provides assistance to senior citizens below poverty line (BPL) who are suffering from age-related physical impairment. Meghalaya is the first northeastern state to implement the scheme.
Addressing the gathering, Gurjar expressed satisfaction to witness the huge gathering of senior citizens and lauded the Social Welfare Department and its officers for their dedication and hard work. The Union minister stressed the need to visit every village to spread awareness and conduct an assessment to find out the true beneficiaries.
Meghalaya PHE Minister Celestine Lyngdoh was also present at the programme. Appreciating the initiative, Lyngdoh said this scheme would be helpful.
The event was organised by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India in association with the Social Welfare Department and the Ri Bhoi district administration.
As many as 1,027 beneficiaries were given 4,752 aids and assisted living devices to senior citizens of three C&RD blocks — Umling, Jirang and Umsning.
Aids and assistive devices like walking sticks, crutches, walkers, tetra pods/tripods, hearing aids, wheelchair, artificial dentures and spectacles were distributed.
Gurjar said more than 5,500 camps were organised across the country in the last three years and more than 8 lakh divyangs have benefitted. “The government has spent more than Rs 800 crore for distributing aids among divyangs in such camps,” he added.
Other dignitaries present at the programme were H. Marwein, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Social Welfare Department, C. Kharkongor MCS, Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities and others.
