TURA: Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishanpal Gurjar on Friday said that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s Government had passed a special Act to make things easier and accessible to persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The minister was in Tura to attend the Mega Distribution of Aids and Appliances for Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities under ADIP and RVY Schemes organised by Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), Kanpur in association with the Social Welfare Department, at the Dikki Bandi Stadium, Dakopgre in Tura.
Referring to PWDs, Gurjar said that they were not incapable people but have special abilities to become successful in almost all the fields they perform adding that they just need support for which the government have come up with these schemes.
Stating that this is the biggest camp in the North East which is being organised in the state of Meghalaya, Gurjar said that the public should know about the scheme and get an idea about the quality of products they are getting. He informed that there were almost 7000 beneficiaries in Shillong and Tura and the Central Government was spending about Rs 2 crores for this Divyangjan Camp in the state.
The Minister also informed that Universal Identity Card would be made available for the Persons with Disabilities and there is special scheme for Deaf and Dumb children from the central government.
Earlier, Meghalaya Home Minister James K Sangma expressed gratitude to Gurjar for gracing the occasion and hoped that he would continue to inspire with support and cooperation for the persons with disabilities in the region. He hoped that the distribution of the aids and appliances by the concerned department would create an enabling environment for the people with different disabilities and help them live a life of dignity.
Others who spoke on the occasion were Minister in-charge of Social Welfare, K Shylla, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr Proboth Seth, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CPwD) in Meghalaya, C Kharkongor, and Chief Managing Director, ALIMCO, Dr D R Sarin.
North Tura, MLA Thomas A Sangma, Joint Secretary, Persons with Disabilities, Government of Meghalaya, T Dkhar, West Garo Hills acting Deputy Commissioner, A M Sangma, Additional Deputy Commissioners, Officials of the District and beneficiaries were among others present at the function.
It may be mentioned that aids and appliances comprising of wheel chairs, hearing aids, spectacles, smart phones, MSID kit were distributed to about 3216 beneficiaries of the districts in Garo Hills region.
Earlier in the programme, the ceremonial lamp was lit by the chief guest along with other dignitaries.