State to introduce various measures to bring differently-abled into mainstream
PIONEEREDGE NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that an old-age home will be established in each district of the State. He said this while interacting with senior citizens and individuals with disabilities during the Mukhya Sevak Samvad event held on Thursday. During the event, the CM launched the software for the Divyang Shadi Anudan and National Family Benefit Scheme and made an online payment for the fifth installment of pensions distributed under various schemes by the Social Welfare department.
Dhami informed that the incentive grant for marrying a specially-abled person will be increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000. Additionally, the income limit for scholarships for specially-abled students from classes I to VIII will be abolished under the Specially-Abled Scholarship Scheme. He emphasised that the purpose of this programme is to understand the problems and needs of the citizens directly, enabling the government to take effective steps to address them.
He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, consistent efforts are being made to empower individuals with disabilities and senior citizens throughout the country. He stated that, inspired by the PM, the State government is providing pensions to over 96,000 individuals with disabilities. More than 86,000 people over the age of 18 receive a monthly pension of Rs 1,500, while financial assistance of Rs 700 per month is provided for the care of over 8,000 disabled children under the age of 18. Further, individuals who became disabled during agricultural work in rural areas receive ₹1,200 per month under the Tilu Rauteli Pension Scheme and a similar amount is allocated for persons shorter than four feet through the dwarf pension scheme.
Under the Divyang Vivah Protsahan Yojana, the State offers an incentive for marrying a disabled person. With the launch of the software related to this initiative, eligible beneficiaries will be able to access the benefits of the scheme with transparency.
He said that the PM Divyasha Kendra will be provided to individuals with disabilities, particularly disabled children. The government aims to establish similar Divyasha Kendras in all districts of the State in the near future. Currently, pension amounts are being directly transferred to the bank accounts of approximately 600,000 elderly individuals in the State through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Additionally, the government is working to strengthen the system of old age homes across all districts. Presently, government-run old age homes are operational in Bageshwar, Chamoli and Uttarkashi, with new facilities under construction in Dehradun, Almora and Champawat, he said.
To protect the rights of senior citizens, the CM highlighted the implementation of the Parents and Senior Citizens Maintenance Act in the State. This legislation allows elderly individuals to claim maintenance from their children or legal heirs as a legal right.
