A Samajik Adhikarita Shivir for distribution of aids and assistive devices to divyangjan under the ADIP Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, was organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) in association with ALIMCO and District Administration Jamnagar at Dhanwantari Auditorium, near DKV Circle, Jamnagar, Gujarat.
A total of 6,225 aids and assistive devices valued at `3.57 crore were distributed free of cost to 3,805 divyangjan at Block/Panchayat levels by following the SOP prepared by the department because of the pandemic.
Speaking on the occasion, Vijay Rupani, Chief Minister, Gujarat, said, “The society which does not care about divyangjan is itself a disabled society. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the central government has implemented various welfare schemes in the interest of the country. In 2016, the ‘Right To Person With Disability Act’ was brought under the leadership of the PM, which not only provides more security but also ensures and protects the fundamental rights of the person with disabilities across the nation.”
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot, said, “The Central government has released around 8.06 crore funds in Gujarat under scholarship program benefitting 2,808 beneficiaries. Around 709 railway stations, 10,175 bus stops and 683 websites have been covered under Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan. Looking at the interest in sports among the divyangjan of the country and their good performance in Paralympics, the Ministry has decided to establish five Divyangta Khel Kendra in different parts of the country.”
Addressing the occasion, Anjali Bhawra, Secretary, DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, elaborated on the details of the schemes. She said that the government has taken several steps for employing divyangjan and skill training programmes are being conducted to empower them.
The high-end products which are to be distributed in the camp include 220 battery-operated motorised tricycles, 665 tricycles, 385 wheelchairs, 998 crutches, 621 walking sticks, 60 rollators, 185 smartphones, 437 smart cane, 40 daisy player, 24 braille kit, six braille cane, 856 MSIED kit, 165 ADL kit (for leprosy), 606 hearing aids, 765 artificial limbs.
Anjali Bhawra, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Person with Disability (DPEwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, Dr Prabodh Seth, Joint Secretary, DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, D R Sarin, CMD ALIMCO were present virtually and Ravi Shankar, Collector, Jamnagar, also attended the function ‘in person’.