SAS Nagar: The Punjabgovernment would spend Rs. 59 crore for the welfare of disabled persons in current year besides ensuring three percent reservation for them in new recruitments as well as promotions. This was stated by Mr. Surjit Kumar Jyani, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister, Punjab, while presiding over a state level program organized here at Shivalik Public School(Phase-6) Auditorium on the occasion of International Disabled Day.
v Ensures 3 percent reservation in jobs and promotions
v State level function organized on international disabled day
v Confers state awards to 15 disabled persons and two social welfare organizations
Reiterating the State government’s commitment for welfare of disabled persons, Mr. Jyani pointed out that though there were laws enacted for safeguarding their interests and rights but the society should also change its perception about them and play proactive role in making them important part of whole development process. He said that it was our moral duty also to ensure their respect.
The Minister informed that the State government has enhanced the retirement age of blind employees from 58 to 60 years.
They have been exempted from typing test for recruitment for the posts of clerks. Disabled students were being given Rs. 200 and Rs. 300 per month scholarship up to elementary and senior classes and during current year Rs. 20.20 crores were being spent for this scheme. Similarly, 1, 46,940 disabled beneficiaries were being given financial assistance @ Rs. 250 per month by spending Rs. 48 crores. He further said that blind and physically disabled persons have been given 50 percent remission while traveling in state transport and an approximate Rs. 11 crore would be spend during current year.
Unemployed deaf and dumb and blind persons were being given Rs. 450 to 600 unemployment allowance as per their qualifications. Besides this, the state government has been running a special institute for blind students where free education, hostel and food facility was being imparted. This institution has the provision of Braille language books and audio-video cassette library. Mr. Jyani said that the Punjab government was running three vocational rehabilitation centers at Bathinda, Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur. He also conferred State Awards on 15 disabled persons and two social welfare organizations for their significant contribution.
The awardees were provided a memento, commendation certificate and cash awards. Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Mr. Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary, Social Security, Women and Child Development, Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Director, Social Security, Women and Child Development department, Mr. TTS Bindra, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority and Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr. TPS Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Parveen Kumar Thind, Additional Deputy Commissioner and Dr. Bobby Gulati, Medical Officer.