Chandigarh: Kamlesh Kumar Pandey, Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (DIVYANGJAN) Government of India along with Dr. Sanjay Kant Prasad, Deputy Chief Commissioner, Government of India today visited UT Chandigarh to review the status of implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act,1995 & Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 in Chandigarh.
The visit began with a meeting of the Chief Commissioner with Sh. B.L.Sharma, IAS, Secretary Social Welfare & Women & Child Development and other officers of the department to discuss the status of implementation of both the acts. During the meeting, Sh. B.L.Sharma informed the Chief Commissioner regarding the institutions set up by the Department for Persons with Disabilities namely, AASHA KIRAN-Vocational Training centre for PWD, Sector- 46, Chandigarh, PRAYAAS Rehabilitation Centre for Children with Disability, Sector- 38, Chandigarh, Government Rehabilitation Institute for Intellectual Disability (GRIID), Sector-31, Chandigarh, Society for Rehabilitation of Mentally Challenged (SOREM), Sector- 36, Chandigarh, SADHNA SOCIETY for Mentally Handicapped, Manimajra, Chandigarh, Society for the Care of Blind, Sector-26, Chandigarh and Day Care Centre for PWD, Sector 46 & 15, Chandigarh.
Additionally, the best practices implemented by the Department were also shared which included simplification of procedure for issuance of disability certificate, making 43 buildings disabled friendly under SUGAMYA BHARAT ABHIYAAN, receiving applications for social security pensions are through online portal at e-Sampark centres, disbursement of social security pension through PFMS portal & financial assistance amount being credited into Aadhar linked bank accounts to 100% pensioners under which a total of 2648 beneficiaries have received disability pension, PRIDE fashion show and PARA games, information guide on disability- SAARTHI and mass distribution of aid & appliances.
Further to this, a meeting was held with the Secretaries of the Department of Health, Education, Urban Development, Rural Development, Employment, Personnel, Transport, Planning, Finance, Industry, Information Technology and Municipal Corporation. The agenda of the meeting was to discuss how new innovations can be introduced and initiatives be taken up by these departments for the welfare of Persons with Disabilities.
The Chief Commissioner during his visit also met the Hon’ble Governor of Punjab & Administrator, UT, Chandigarh Sh. V.P. Singh Badnore at Punjab Raj Bhawan. Dr. Kamlesh Kumar Pandey shared the purpose of his visit and highlighted the need to have an Independent State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities with separate staff to look after the work related to Persons with Disabilities. He further added that since the Secretary Social Welfare, Chandigarh Administration is holding the additional charge of State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and there is no supporting staff, the matters pertaining to Persons with Disabilities take time to be dealt with. Hon’ble Governor of Punjab & Administrator, UT, Chandigarh assured the Chief Commissioner that the matter will be taken up and directed the officials of the Department of Social Welfare & Women & Child Development to prepare a proposal for the same.The Administrator also expressed that Chandigarh should be number 1 in the country for the implementation of the provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Act,1995 & Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
The visit of the Chief Commissioner and Deputy Chief Commissioner ended with a Press Conference held at UT Guest House, Chandigarh wherein he briefed the media about the importance of his visit and enlightened them on the various initiatives being undertaken by the Government of India for the welfare of persons with disabilities.
