Chhattisgarh on Sunday bagged the prestigious award of ‘Best State in Promoting Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities’ in New Delhi at a function.
President Ram Nath Kovind presented the award at a function organised by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Chhattisgarh Social Welfare Minister Ramshila Sahu received the nation award from the President. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh congratulated the Minister and he asserted that his Government would take all measures and decisons to empower Persons with Disabilities.
On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment presents National Awards to Individuals, Institutions, Organisations, State/District etc for their outstanding achievements and work done towards empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
The National Awards were presented in 14 main categories. Within stipulated date, out of these 14 categories, 984 applications were received from 13 categories.
Four Scrutiny Committees constituted by the Department as per the rules had scrutinised the nominations and their recommendations were considered by the National Selection Committee.
The National Selection Committee met on 10th and 16th November and recommended 52 persons / institutions for the awards.
Addressing the gathering, the President said that the future of the country depends on ensuring that all citizens have the capacity to realise their full potential. Rs Rs
To achieve this goal, we have to create a sensitive and harmonious society, where every person feels empowered – and a society of empathy, where one person feels the pain of another,’’ President remarked.
According to Census 2011, there are 2.68 crore persons with disabilities in India who exhibit great diversity in terms of quantum of disability as well as types of disabilities. To give focussed attention to the schemes and programmes for empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, a new Department under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment came into existence in Indian Government during the year 2012.
Since then, a number of new schemes and programmes for the empowerment of persons with disabilities have been added. On the other hand, the financial outlay for the department is also going up every year in the country. The existing schemes of the department have been reviewed and in case of many modifications have been made. Receiving of applications under two major scheme is on-line and the same are processed, funds sanctioned through the electronic mode.