Steps taken up for welfare of displaced people: Dingo
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 04 2023: Social welfare minister Heikham Dingo said that the department has been taking up welfare measures to alleviate the suffering of the displaced people since the violence broke out on May 3.Addressing a press conference at his official residence here on Saturday, the minister said that the department has been implementing various schemes for the welfare of the people right from birth till death.

In the current crisis, the department has already assigned 400 nodal officers to look after the displaced people living in different relief camps and to ensure that the benefits of different schemes reach them.

The director, deputy director and all the subordinate staff are working tirelessly in this regard, he said.

He informed that there are 308 differently abled people in the relief camps.

Assessment camps have been conducted in relief camps located in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Bishnupur, Kakching, Imphal East and Imphal West districts with support from RIMS and JNIMS.

UDID certificates have been generated and they can now be linked with schemes implemented by the department.

Moreover, 159 aid and assistive devices along with 346 wheelchairs have been provided to differently abled displaced people so far.

For Churachandpur district, the aid and assistive devices are delivered with the help of chopper of Indian Army, the minister informed.

Out of the 308 differently abled people, 96 have been identified for assistance under Chief Ministergee Sottharabasingee Tengbang (CMST) scheme.

The scheme provides Rs 1500 caregiver's allowance for the beneficiaries.

At the same time, 24 such people have also been identified for pension scheme for disability and they will get Rs 500 monthly pension.

Relevant cards will be issued to them shortly, he said.

Dingo further informed that efforts are being made to identity and enrol elderly people living in the relief camp under the Old Age Pension scheme.

Shifting of select elders and children in their respective homes are also being taken up.

At the same time, assistance are provided to pregnant and lactating women through Anganwadi workers and helpers.

The department is also taking up measures to ensure education for displaced students by working closely with NGOs and Child Protection Committees, he added.

As of now, the department's screening committee has identified 1207 people eligible for Old Age Pension scheme under which they will be provided monthly pension of Rs 200.Moreover, 145 senior citizens have been identified for providing necessary assistance.

The department is also providing different services such as counselling services, skill development training, issuing labour cards among others.

So far, educational assistance of Rs 5000 each has been provided to 1000 labour card holders recently, Dingo informed.

Regarding the Ningol Chakkouba festival, the minister said that he understands the sentiment of the displaced people regarding the festival.

While some are calling to forego the festival, some are also advocating hosting of the festival in the relief camps for the displaced people.

Like previous years, the fisheries department would be organising fish fair one day before Ningol Chakkouba.

The event is being organised to encourage the fish farmers of the state, he said, while adding that everybody should play their part in keeping the state's economy running even during this trying time.

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