Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Pratima Bhoumik on Monday said that the Northeast is the new engine of India and Modi recognises the people of the region.
Bhoumik was speaking at the inauguration of Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Imphal on Monday at Juvenile Justice Board, Takyel, Imphal West in the presence of Union Minister of State for Education and External Affairs, RK Ranjan.
She introduced herself as from Tripura and said: "Northeast is now known to everyone unlike before and connected to the world”.
She said that in 2016, PM Modi made it a rule that only seven categories are to be considered as disabled. After 2015-16, it has been increased to 21 categories for PWDs, she mentioned. The prime minister gave them respect by giving the name ‘Divyang’ (Divine body), she added.
Earlier, the rate of job reservation and education was at 3 per cent but now it has increased to 4 per cent, she further said. “Disability certificates are now made simple; UID care for PWDs which is valid across the country has benefitted more than 67 lakh people. One card can deliver benefits in any state or UTs,” she added.
Pratima further said that appliances are given to all disabled people, irrespective of whether they are disabled by birth or other reasons. Senior citizens with hearing, sight, dental, ortho issues have been provided wheelchairs facilities, she added.
In Churachandpur, a GR fund of more than Rs 1 crore has been given, she said. “Artificial limb facilities will be provided to the needy. You will not be required to go outside the state anymore,” Pratima added.
“Children under the age group of 0-6, suffering from hearing loss and inability to speak, will be identified and they will be provided Cochlear implants,” she added.
The CRCSRE is an initiative of the government of India, the department of empowerment of persons with disabilities, the ministry of social justice and empowerment.
It is working under the administrative control of Swami Vivekananda National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research, Odisha. The aim of CRCSRE, Imphal is to provide rehabilitation services to the PWD and develop manpower in the field of disabilities in the Northeastern region.
It provided comprehensive rehabilitation services at the centre and extended services (identification, assessment, distribution camps) to the PWDs. The centre will also provide various courses in the field of rehabilitation along with comprehensive therapeutic and rehabilitation services for all types of disabilities in one roof.
The Centre will further undertake various outreach programmes to cater to the needs of the PWDs at their doorsteps under various ongoing government-sponsored schemes such as ADIP for distribution of aids and assistive devices.
The programme was attended by DEPwD, government of India, secretary Anjali Bhawra; joint secretary of DEPwD, Prabodh Seth; director of SVNIRTAR, Cuttack, Sakti Prasad Das.
