Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organized Seminar on rehab of specially abled persons

Shillong, Aug 30: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Government of India in collaboration with Department of Social Welfare and Office of the Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities, Government of Meghalaya organized a two-day National Seminar on Strategic Plan for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities at State Convention Centre which was inaugurated by Minister, Social Welfare, GoM, Kyrmen Shylla. Addressing the gathering, Minister, Social Welfare, Kyrmen Shylla while welcoming the officials from different States of the North-east said that in Meghalaya there are 44,317 persons with disabilities and 37,566 of them reside in the rural areas. He added that with the legislation passed by the Indian Parliament of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, it is imperative upon the State Government to rehabilitate and empower Persons with Disabilities.

Also speaking during the inauguration was Additional Chief Secretary, Social Welfare, GoM, Hector Marwein. He said that it was a long felt need to have such a seminar in the region for the empowerment and welfare of Persons with Disabilities. He stated that the Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID) is yet to be issued to persons with disabilities of the State and requested Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to expedite the process so that the beneficiaries will have the UDIDs to avail various schemes and benefits. He also informed that there is a lack of manpower specialists in the State in this sector and urged the Ministry to tie up with the State government to train the available manpower in the State like technicians, Anganwadi and Asha workers etc for training in National Institutes in the country on a sustainable basis. This was stated in a press communiqué.