54,110 differently able persons in the State; Union Minister Gehlot distributes aids, appliances
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 24 2015: Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Geholt has said that the Centre is keen to take up various projects for empowerment of differently able persons and youths of the State.

He was speaking at an appliances and assistance devices distribution camp held at 1st Bn Manipur Rifles parade ground today.

The camp was attended by Chief Minister O Ibobi as the chief guest, Thawarchand Gehlot as president and Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, AK Mirabai, Social Welfare Minister and M Okendro, Education Minister as the guests of honour.

Saying that the Centre would directly transfer money to the beneficiaries online through their bank accounts, Thawarchand Gehlot asked the youth of the State to open bank accounts.

Gehlot distributing aids and appliances to differently able persons

He said that the Centre is planning to provide scholarship up to Rs 30 lakh to those who pursue PhD abroad.

As per the instruction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Government is giving special attention to North East States.

He also said that if the State Government is willing to provide land for opening of a 200-bedded hostel in Imphal area for SC, ST, OBC, differently able and transgender students, then the Centre is ready for provide necessary fund.

He also said that the Centre is studying possibilities of setting up a sports centre for differently able players of the State.

He said that it is a matter of serious concern that the State stands second next to Punjab in the number of youths who have been abusing drugs.

Saying that he has learnt that around 20 NGOs are working in the field of drugs and related issues, the Union Minister claimed that the Union Government has taken up various programmes on the issue.

He further assured the State Government a sum of Rs 50 lakh to launch a scheme which would make Manipur a drug-free State.

He also announced to establish a Regional Composite Centre in the State at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore.

He said that the State Government and departments concerned have failed to provide utilization certificates for some projects.

Saying that he has got a letter from the State Government seeking money for holding camps to issue 'disable certificates' to differently persons, the Minister said that the Centre would sanction Rs 3 lakhs per camp.

Aid and appliances worth Rs 50 lakh were distributed in today's function.

Giving his a speech, O Ibobi said that the number of differently abled persons in the State increased double as per the Census report of 2011.The figure of 28,376 in 2001 jumped to 54,110 as per the Census report of 2011, he added.

He further said that the State Government is committed to take up necessary steps to provide equal opportunity to the persons with disabilities as provisioned in the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995.He also said that the State Government has now streamlined and simplified the procedure for issuing of disability certificate as per the instruction of the Central Government and the State Government has now identified all the Government doctors of PHCs, CHCs and District hospitals as the medical authority for issuing disability certificates.

He also said that the State Government has so far issued disability certificates to around 21663 persons which account for 40.04 percent of the total disability population.

The rate of allowance/ assistance provided under different schemes for the persons with disabilities have been enhanced, he said.

He also appealed to the Central Government Ministers to expedite the process for setting up of Regional Composite Centre and special homes for mental retarded persons and persons with from severe disabilities.