CM expresses serious concern

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Dec 3:  Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma today acknowledged that the celebration of Intertiol Day for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) was a display of true convergence and expressed his deep sense of gratitude to the partners, several government organizations and banks for coming together to aggregate their resources for the cause of differently-abled people.

He was participating in the celebration at Montfort Centre of Education, Tura, where 191 beneficiaries from across Garo Hills who had undergone assessment in October last where provided with aids and assistive devices like wheel chairs, smart canes, smart phones, hearing aids, etc worth Rs 16 lakh free of cost, organized by Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment under ADIP scheme.

The Chief Minister said that these aids and assistive devices were meant to physically empower the physically challenged people and called upon all agencies and partners concerned to work harder to so that the devices reach down to the last of the targeted population.

As such, he was of the view that even as Government makes several schemes to empower the neglected sections of the society, there was a need for greater mobilization, because when the targeted people are not enlightened they would never be able to enjoy the benefits of such programmes.

Dr Sangma also made an earnest appeal to the partners to take advantage of the Chief Minister’s Career Guidance & Counseling Programme which is inclusive, diverse and flexible, for skilling the PWDs, adding “when these people are empowered they will no longer require any support from the government”.

The Chief Minister also expressed concern over high incidence of congenital defects among the tribals, saying there was need to find actual cause and scientific answer to deal with such physical defects.

The message from Rajya Sabha MP Wansuk Syiem, who has been instrumental in driving this scheme in the State, was read out by her Liaison Officer LN Jyrwa on the occasion.