Government mulling special recruitment drive for specially-abled persons: CM

State observes 'International Day of Persons with disabilities'

GUWAHATI: Assam also joins the rest of the world in celebrating the 'International Day of Persons with Disabilities' as the State celebrates the day in its bid to acknowledge the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

The Department of Social Welfare in association with Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) and Kamrup District Administration observed the day at Kumar Bhaskar Verma Kshetra at Amingaon today where, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma reiterated State government's commitment to the welfare and well being of the persons with disabilities. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said, "Celebrations of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an opportunity to show our gratitude to specially abled people who have constituted an important segment of our human resources". He also said that celebration of the day also helps in generating public awareness of the needs of specially abled people. He also said, "As a mark of gratitude to the specially abled people we have decided to upgrade Deaf and Dumb School at Kahilipara and Blind School at Basistha to Higher secondary level.

"Moreover, in line with the 'Indian Sign Language', an Assamese Sign Language will be developed for the benefits of the specially-abled people".

The Chief Minister also said that the State government in its bid to help the specially-abled people has also increased the reservation quota to four per cent in jobs and other educational institutions. He also said that a separate directorate -- The Directorate of Social Justice and Empowerment to expedite socio-economic and academic empowerment of the specially-abled people has also been opened and notified. He also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coining the word 'Divyangjan' which according to him has created a positive impression among cross the section of the people towards specially-abled persons.

Synchronising with the occasion while giving wheelchairs to specially-abled people, Sarma said that by December 2022, Government will give wheelchairs and tri-rickshaws to all people having mobility challenges. The state government is also considering holding a special recruitment drive for Divyangjans in Assam, Sarma added, stated a press release.

Minister for Social Welfare Ajanta Neog while speaking on the occasion said that the Government of Assam as a series of steps to lend dignity to the specially-abled people initiated several steps. She on the occasion has also given a brief snapshot of different schemes that the Social Welfare Department has undertaken. She also sought cooperation from all sections of the people for making the schemes meant for the Divyangjans success.

MLA Kamalpur Diganta Kalita, MLA Boko Nandita Das, MLA Hajo Suman Haripriya, MLA Palashbari Hemanga Thakuria, Chairman Senior Citizen Council Pradip Thakuria, representatives of different organizations representing specially abled people, Director Social Welfare Bivash Modi among others were present on the occasion.

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