The International Day for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) was observed in the district with a host of programmes which included a rally, an awareness meeting and distribution of assistive devices, etc.
Speaking at a meeting held on the occasion, District Social SecurityOfficer Kamlakanta Behera informed that online registration has been adopted to prevent fake entries into the beneficiary list. He said in the current year 19,564 persons have been registered through online mode.
Under the Madhu Babu Pension Scheme while 15,971 persons were given the pension benefit, under the Indira Gandhi Pension Scheme, 3,926 were entitled to pension. Likewise, under Chief Minister Relief Fund, 131 persons were extended relief.
Behera further said that under Banishree Scheme 2105, 270 students belonging to pre and post matriculation categories were given education scholarship. 4237 PWDs while obtained bus pass, 576 obtained train pass. 623 PWDs were studying in different special schools. While 23 persons were given Rs 50,000 for marrying PWDs , 76 of SHGs were also given financial encouragements, he said.
District Collector Ramesh Rout stressed on inclusive development of the PWDs and told that all should becareful and responsibly discharge their duties and obligations towards them. He stressed on special arrangement for the PWDs for casting their votes as per election commission directives.
Sub Collector Nilu Mohapatra, CDMO Bibekananda Das , District Education Officer Pramod Kumar Sarangi, Deputy Collector (elections) Susrita Tudu among others spoke. While 13 PWDs were given online registered certificates, beneficiaries were given crutches, hearing aids, tricycles and wheel chairs etc. Earlier on the day, district Collector Rout flagged off a rally at the Public High School.