The State Government will take steps to ensure 100 per cent inclusion of all differently-abled persons with 75 per cent or more disability in the subsidised Rice for Differently-abled Persons (RDP) scheme and specific jobs for them under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme.
A decision to this effect was taken at a review meeting presided over by Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik here on Monday.
The State Government had earlier decided to supply 10 kg of rice at Rs 2 per kg to the differently-abled persons having the disability level up to 75 per cent or more.
Present at the meeting, representatives of differently-abled persons’ associations said Odisha is the first State to declare this scheme for their welfare.
As per the 2001 census, there are about 10 lakh differently-abled in the State with various degrees and percentages of disability of whom 75,459 persons having 75 per cent or more disability have been identified and included in the RDP scheme.
Ganjam district has the highest number of such beneficiaries with inclusion of 9,058 persons followed by Baleswar with 7,922 and Cuttack with 4,609 persons. Each month 744.59 MT of rice is being allocated for distribution among these beneficiaries, it was revealed.
The Chief Secretary asked the Women and Child Development and Panchayati Raj Departments to enlist types of jobs for them in MGNREGA. The proposal for issue of job cards to the differently-abled was also discussed at the meeting.
The Chief Secretary wanted a focused approach towards the disabled in the National Rural Livelihood Mission programme for creation of livelihood opportunities. He also asked the Women and Child Development Department to examine the permissible relaxation for formation of SHGs (Self-Help Groups) of the differently-abled.
Source : Daily Pioneer , 6th Feb 2013
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