Maharashra govt plans several measures for PwDs, including job policy, says CM

Maharashtra Chief Minister CM Devendra Fadnavis announced on Monday that an employment policy for persons with disabilities PwD alongside other initiatives for their welfare is in the pipelineAccording to news agency PTI he further stated that district divyang bhavans would be established to ensure that PwDs can access all necessary services under one roofJust like the Mukhyamantri Majhi Laadki Bahin scheme financial aid received through the Special Assistance Scheme will be credited via Direct Benefit Transfer DBT he said adding that a separate housing plan for PwDs should also be formulatedThe Maharashtra CM urged authorities to develop new relevant schemes and policies to improve the lives of the differentlyabled and ensure their effective implementation PTI reportedSpeaking at a review meeting concerning the issues faced by PwDs Fadnavis said The state government is making efforts to make the differentlyabled financially selfreliant We will provide them with skill training employment and selfemployment opportunities A policy will be prepared for their employment The Skill Development and Industries Department has been instructed to prepare a policy regarding employment and stallsHe also directed officials to ensure that the aid under the special assistance scheme implemented for differentlyabled citizens in the state be deposited in the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer DBT system reported PTIldquoThe District Collector should undertake a timebound programme for the beneficiaries whose bank accounts are not linked to Aadhaar It is necessary to adopt the DBT system for effective implementation of the schemes said FadnavisHealth medical education depts must run campaign for distribution of disability certificates CM Fadnavis The CM also stressed the need for a special campaign for disability surveys and certification as many persons with disabilities face difficulties accessing government schemes concessions education jobs and health facilities due to the absence of a disability certificateThe Health and Medical Education departments should implement a special campaign for the distribution of disability certificates he addedTo facilitate easier and more dignified admission to higher education Fadnavis suggested that each university create a dedicated system for PwDs including disabledfriendly infrastructure assistive devices special guidance centres and counselling servicesThe government is positive about taking necessary measures to increase the participation of differentlyabled students in the mainstream of education The Higher and Technical Education Department should prepare a proposal in this regard and submit it in the cabinet meeting he saidIn addition Fadnavis mentioned that eligible PwDs would be included in the Antyodaya Anna Yojana immediately and the state government would develop a separate scheme for those who do not meet the existing criteriaHe pointed out that the Food and Civil Supplies Department is distributing ration cards to eligible disabled personslsquoMaharashtra to prepare separate housing scheme for PwDsrsquoFor the empowerment of persons with disabilities in the state 1 per cent of the funds allocated for regular schemes will be reserved in the District Annual Plan every year from 202526 From this fund a District Divyang Bhavan will be set up at the district level to provide all the facilities for persons with disabilities under one roof Fadnavis saidThe CM also informed that the state government will prepare a separate housing scheme for PwDs and will assist those beneficiaries who do not have land to build housesThe meeting also covered topics such as loan waivers through the Divyang Corporation the procurement of quality medicines in government hospitals via the Public Health Department and the requirement for each department to spend 5 per cent of its budget on PwDs as mandated by the Disability ActIt also discussed training and separate sports stadiums care for the severely disabled giving priority to the differentlyabled for posts with honourarium appointing such persons to various committees at the district and taluka levels as well as organising a festival for them at the state level the release addedWith PTI inputsatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params