Das Suryavamshi, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Act, addressing a meeting in Raichur on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Das Suryavamshi, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Act, has said that officers should make efforts to take facilities extended by the government to the doorsteps of the persons with disabilities effectively and bring them to the mainstream. He was addressing the issue after reviewing the progress of the works using the 5% grant meant for the persons with disabilities in Yadgir on Saturday.

“The government has earmarked a 5% grant for the welfare of the persons with disabilities to be used for programmes and facilities. Such programmes and facilities should effectively reach everyone who is really entitled to them,” Mr. Suryavamshi said.

The officers of the concerned departments should submit an action plan to the ZP CEO to conduct special camps on education programmes such as Braille tactile writing for visually impaired persons and sign language for deaf and dumb persons, as education is the only source that will bring changes in their lives and make a way for them to lead life anywhere in the world, he said.

District Officer of Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens Empowerment Sharanagowda Patil said that as many as 27,427 persons with disabilities, including 10,568 women, 16,855 men, and four third genders, are in the district. Health policies, pensions, and other facilities are extended to them under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.

In Raichur

Later, Mr. Suryavamshi attended a similar meeting in Raichur and addressed the press conference. He said that opportunity would be given to persons with disabilities to get admission at all residential schools directly without entrance tests.

“There is an opportunity for 25% of persons with disabilities to get admission in 900 residential schools under the State government to pursue education till pre-university. The School Education Department should ensure education for persons with disabilities. Presently, 12 visually impaired persons are serving as IAS officers after studying with Braille tactile writing,” Mr. Suryavamshi said.

Government offices should have facilities like wheelchairs, toilets, and sufficient space for the persons with disabilities, he said, and added that pensions for the attendants of persons with disabilities will be given in the coming days as the necessary action for this purpose has already been taken.

Mr. Suryavamshi said that Karnataka has become a model in the country in providing rehabilitation for persons with disabilities. The National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) may release a ₹100 crore grant for the State, of which ₹50 lakh loans and required grant for other development works may be covered.

The Union government has enacted the Rights for Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, to provide education, employment, and other social stability, and to bring the persons with disabilities to the mainstream. Following this, the State has also enacted rules to implement the act effectively. Under these rules, the rights of the persons with disabilities will be protected.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Shivanand, Deputy Secretary of ZP Shashikanth Shivapure, and others were present.