44000 differently abled persons officially registered in Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 3, 2021

Out of 200 beneficiaries state-wide, 12 beneficiaries of East Khasi Hills District received UDID Disability Certificates and Assistive Devices in a programme held today in observance of International Day for Persons with Disabilities cum North East Disability Summit 2021 at Shillong Club, Shillong.

With the mobilization of Healthy India Chronicle, the assistive devices have been sponsored by the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Skill Development, Government of India.

Kyrmen Shylla, Meghalaya Minister of Social Welfare graced the occasion as the chief guest.

The theme of the programme organised by the office of the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Meghalaya in collaboration with the State Resource Centre on Disability Affairs, Civil Hospital and Healthy India Chronicle, New Delhi was, ‘Leadership and Participation of Persons with Disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post Covid -19 world’.

The aim of the programme was to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of activities, thereby increasing their participation and creating more opportunities for them.

Speaking on the occasion, Kyrmen Shylla said that the whole world has awakened to the reality and problems faced by people with disabilities and efforts are on to protect and to ensure their participation to the fullest in all spheres of activity. Lauding the support of AICTE he said that the up-to-date assistive devices provided for the beneficiaries will go a long way in helping them realise their full potential. Informing that the Government through the Social Welfare Department implements a number of schemes for the benefit of persons with disability, he stressed on the importance of possessing and updating the UDID cards to avail such benefits. Informing about the establishment of the Composite Regional Centre at Shillong in collaboration with the National Institute for the Empowerment of People with Multiple Disabilities, he said that 50 acres of land has been allotted for the establishment of the Centre for Disability Sports at Umsawli, out of which 10 acres has been allotted for the Composite Regional Centre.

Principal Secretary, Labour Department GHP Raju, informed that there are 44000 differently abled persons registered with the Government. Reiterating on the importance of comprehensive data on differently abled persons in the State, he stressed that all beneficiaries should be equipped with Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and Mobile Number information so as to avail direct transfer benefits from Government Schemes. Lamenting that a number of government schemes tend to overlook the participation of differently abled persons, he stressed on the need for special fund allocation, increasing subsidy amounts and job reservations for differently abled persons so they can be roped into the development agenda of the Government.

On the occasion the Chief Guest also released a Souvenir of Health India Chronicle which details the various schemes and programmes available with different departments for the benefit and welfare of differently abled persons.