Awareness camp on schemes for differently abled

Even as the population of the differently abled is going up in the country, their awareness regarding governmental schemes for their welfare is not commensurate, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment D.Napoleon lamented here on Saturday.

Inaugurating a two-day awareness camp and also exhibition regarding schemes for the differently abled, he pointed out that the number of the differently abled which was 2.10 crore as per 2001 census is likely to have crossed 2.50 crore in the 2011 census whose figures are expected to be announced in a month. “Of course, the total population of our country is 121 crore. But the number of the differently abled in India is much more than the entire population of Australia,” the Minister observed.

He said the 12th plan outlay for the welfare of differently abled was Rs.32, 684 crore. For the current year his Ministry had been allotted Rs.5,915 crore.

Besides, on the lines of the separate Ministry constituted for the differently abled people in Tamil Nadu by former Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi, “we have also set up a separate Ministry for them at the Centre.”

He appealed to the public to be compassionate towards them. “Any one of us could be struck with disability at any time. It is imperative to extend a helping hand to such people in some way or other instead of indulging in ridiculing them or harassing them,” he added.

“We should give them education, confidence and opportunity to earn,” he pleaded.

Support:Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment D.Napoleon handing over assistance to a differently abled person in Perambalur on Saturday. Collector Darez Ahmed is in the picture. 

Mr.Napoleon, at the same time, urged the differently abled people and their kith and kin to be aware of the schemes implemented for their benefit. “We are providing a lot of welfare schemes for the differently abled and they can avail of loans for self-employment, setting up small units or micro-industries.”

Maj.Gen (Retd) Ian Cardozo, chairman, Rehabilitation Council of India, while appealing to the public to have “compassionate attitude” towards the differently abled also demanded opportunities for them to prove themselves. He was certain that most disabilities could be prevented.

Narayana Rao, chairman, Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, said during the past 40 years the corporation had helped 40 lakh persons with disabilities by providing them 19 varieties of assistive devices.

Santhosh Mohanty, National Charitable Trust, said many were not aware that even those suffering from autism, and cerebral palsy were eligible for health insurance. Top officials from the Backward Classes Development Financial Corporation, Scheduled Caste Development Financial Corporation, and also the Commissionerate of Disabilities explained the welfare schemes available to differently abled.

S.Subramanian, DRO, said 9,496 differently abled persons in Perambalur district had been issued the National Identity Card and 99 per cent of the differently abled in the district are getting assistance.

K.Varadharaajen, chairman, Roever Educational Institutions, also spoke.

Neeradha Chandramohan, Director, National Institute for Persons with Multiple Disabilities, presented the project report.


Source : The Hindu , Tamil nadu  , Perambalur ( 24th feb 2013 )