W and CD, SSEPD and MSME Minister Prafulla Samal distributed 100 laptops to blind students pursuing higher education and self-employment tool kits to 31 skilled youth with disabilities at a programme held here on Tuesday.
The programme organised by the National Career Service Centre for Differently Abled (NCSCD), a Central Government unit, was attended by Special secretary Niten Chandra, Director Mansi Nimbhal, Under Secretary Ambika Prasad Patnaik and NCSDA Director (employment) Ram Kishor Sharma, among others.
Minister Samal said the newly created Social Security and Empowerment of PWDs Department (SSEPD) is working hard for comprehensive development of the PWDs. He informed that the allocation amount was enhanced from current `50 lakh to `2 crore per annum from this yearfor distribution of free laptops to 250 such beneficiaries.
The Principal Secretary stated that that the Paradip Port Trust has given `16,50,000 during the financial year 2017-18 for self-employment tool kits to skilled PwDs, which is quite encouraging. He appealed to the corporate world to utilise at least 5 per cent fund under the CSR for empowerment of PWDs.
SSEPD Director Mansi Nimbhal appealed to the students to utilise laptops and tool kits appropriately to become self-reliant. She informed that, in joint collaboration with the NCSCDA, Bhubaneswar Pre-recruitment coaching for PWDs has been started for preparing for competitive examinations with an investment of `50 lakh having sitting capacity of 80 PWDs at the NCSCDA.
NCSCDA Assistant Director Ram Kishor Sharma informed that about 360 PWDs have been provided free residential skill development training in 2017-18 sponsored by Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA).
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Under Secretary Ambika Prasad Patnaik.