CM orders survey of differently-able children

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Dec 30: For the first time, a comprehensive survey of differently-abled children in the State is proposed to be carried out. Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal today directed the Social Welfare Department to conduct the survey to identify all differently-abled children of the State in a time-bound manner.

The Chief Minister further asked the Department to begin the survey from Jaury, 2017 and complete it within three months. All the Anganwadi functiories will have to visit every household under their jurisdiction for identifying such children and submit the data for compilation, he added.

It is estimated that there are around 4.8 lakh differently-abled children in the state but due to lack of any survey data these children are deprived of the disability certificate, which is mandatory for availing benefits meant for them under relevant government schemes. The direction from the Chief Minister will hugely benefit such children and further help in their empowerment.

Sonowal issued the direction while chairing a meeting of senior secretaries of the departments under his control, which was held today in the conference hall of his office chamber.

The Chief Minister has also directed the Department to take immediate steps for institution of two separate directorates by bifurcating the present Social Welfare Department for enhancing efficiency of service. The directorates are to be med as Directorate of Children & Women and Directorate of Social Justice & Empowerment.

Advocating a perspective plan for the Social Welfare Department, Chief Minister Sonowal said that the Department should undertake strategies to improve its image in public mind. He has further suggested introduction of effective monitoring mechanism and public audit for bringing more transparency in the Department.