State Commissioner for persons with Disabilities (SCPD), UT Chandigarh organizes workshop for financial inclusion and empowerment of Persons with disabilities (PwD).
A workshop for financial inclusion and empowerment of Persons with disabilities was organized by the State Commissioner for persons with Disabilities (SCPD), UT of Chandigarh. The workshop was held at Government Rehabilitation institute for Intellectual Disabilities, (GRIID) Sector-31C, Chandigarh in which over 100 persons with disabilities, their parents/guardians, NGOs working for persons with disabilities participated and learnt about various schemes of the government for various types of skill development, training and loans. At the outset it was pointed out why Financial Inclusion for PwDs is so important.
State Commissioner, Mrs. Madhvi Kataria, IAS (Retd.) said that the main objective of the workshop is to enhance economic independence and reduce dependency and thereby promoting dignity and equality by enabling full participation of PwDs in economic life. Awareness of the various schemes of the government, the training programmes for skill development and financial assistance by way of loans will empower PwDs and their families to save, invest, and access credit for entrepreneurship.
One parent of an intellectually disabled person said, “There are many barriers faced by PwDs which includes lack of accessible infrastructure in banks and financial institutions, absence of accessible digital platforms (mobile apps, websites), complex procedures and documentation requirements and most of all inadequate awareness about available financial services. A Representative of an NGO said, “For persons with disabilities (PwDs), financial inclusion is a crucial step toward achieving economic independence, dignity, and social integration. Today’s workshop is an encouraging step and such information was earlier not available with most of the attendees. It also helped dispel many myths about accessing loans from various financial institutions and banks.”
In this meeting, resource persons from Department of Industries & Commerce, Chandigarh Child and Women Development Corporation (the channelizing agency for National Divyangjan Finance Development Corporation), Special Employment Exchange, Officers from Punjab National Bank- The Lead bank and Municipal Corporation explained at length about all aspects of the government schemes, trainings and loans for self-employment and business schemes, elegibility criteria, benefits and processes to avail of these schemes and loans for Persons with Disabilities. There exists a policy and legal framework to promote financial inclusion of PwDs under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016 which mandates equal rights, including access to financial services.
Lead Bank Manager informed about various categories of PM Mudra Loans, officers from Directorate of Industries informed about PM Employment generation programme (PMEGP) which is a credit linked subsidy programme for generation of employment opportunities through micro enterprises. Guidelines of central sector PM Vishwakarma scheme were explained which are inclusive micro finance schemes and can provide support for modern tools to gain and enhance capability and productivity of PwDs and improve quality of products besides providing an easy access to collateral free credit besides market linkages etc.
The officials from Chandigarh Child and Woman Development Corporation which works under the umbrella of Social welfare department informed that the corporation is a channelizing agency for loans for the National Divyangjan Finance Development Corporation and explained the guidelines for availing concessional loans. She also apprised about Asha Kiren Building in sector 46 where many vocational training programmes for PwDs are being run and also is the centre for free assistive devices for the PwDs. Information was also imparted about all the major schemes of social welfare department for PwDs viz. pension, subsidy for scooter and petrol, unemployment allowance, UDID card etc.
Officials from Special Employment explained about the registration and employment prospects. Representatives from Municipal Corporation Chandigarh informed about Self Help Groups for PwDs which would impart financial literacy and would be focused on savings and economic activities besides economic sustainability of PwDs.
All the resource persons shared their contact details and assured the attendees to be responsive to their requirements. They answered their queries and today’s interaction helped build a bridge between government departments, banks and financial institutions.
