Manipur Social Welfare Department on Thursday distributed aids and assistive devices to a total of 4,353 beneficiaries worth Rs 92,56,130 under Rastriya Vayoshree Yojna (RVY) and Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/fitting of aids and appliance (ADIP) schemes at the premises of the department located at North AOC, Imphal.
The aids and appliances were distributed in connection with inauguration of distribution camps under ‘Samajik Adhikarita Shivir’ distribution of aids and assistive devices to senior citizens under RVY and to Divyangjan under ADIP scheme.
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, Virendra Kumar attended the function virtually as chief guest.
The programme was conducted in presence of social welfare minister, Heikham Dingo; state commissioner for persons with disabilities, Manipur, W Birahari Singh and director Social welfare, Ngangom Uttam.
Speaking on the occasion, minister Dingo said the social welfare department has been providing necessary assistance to the needy people and will be continuing under various schemes and projects.
He said the department is also taking a major role to empower women, persons with disabilities, elderly persons and other needy people.
The minister assured that necessary assistance and benefits will be provided under various government schemes and policies in the near future also.
Director social welfare, Ngangom Uttam said the aids and assistive devices are distributed to those beneficiaries who had already attended assessment camps for identification of beneficiaries under RVY and ADIP.
He said such camps were organised at different places of the state during the year 2021. After the identification of beneficiaries during the camp the appliances are provided by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
Further, assessment camps were also held at Senapati and Ukhrul and the necessary aids and assistive devices will also be distributed to the identified beneficiaries for which the Ministry will send the necessary devices to the department and distribution camps will be held shortly, said Uttam.
He informed that such assessment camps will be organised by the department of social welfare in collaboration with Artificial Limb Manufacturing Corporation Limited, under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, government of India for maximum benefit to persons with disabilities and senior citizens at different places of the state.
The director urged Artificial Limb Manufacturing Corporation Limited to redesign the hearing aids similar to bluetooth headsets so that youngsters having hearing problems can use them without social discrimination.
