State Advisory Board on Disability Emphasizes Strengthening Rights and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities

Bhubaneswar: The Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the horizons of rights and entitlements for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) during the 3rd Meeting of the State Advisory Board on Disability held in Bhubaneswar. Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister, SSEPD, chaired the meeting, highlighting the importance of ensuring the dignity and socio-economic participation of PwDs to integrate them into the mainstream.

Key priorities outlined by Minister Panda include the strengthening of special schools for PwD students and the promotion of skill training for meaningful employment. He emphasized the need to focus on the holistic development of PwDs to enhance their overall well-being.

Several notable achievements were presented during the meeting, including the operationalization of Integrated Infrastructure Complexes (Shradhalayas) in eight districts and the functionality of Manodaya (State Institute for Disability Rehabilitation) at three locations. The Madhubabu Pension Yojana (MPY) has benefited approximately 36 lakh beneficiaries, while around 3,000 PwDs have undergone skill development training. Additionally, 25 thousand students are receiving the Banishree Scholarship, and 104 Special Schools are receiving Grant-in-Aid from the Government.

Sri Ananta Narayan Jena, MLA, stressed the importance of convergence among various government departments to successfully implement schemes aimed at the development of PwDs.

In his introductory address, Bishnupada Sethi, Principal Secretary, SSEPD, highlighted the role of the Advisory Board in providing a platform for all stakeholders to collaborate in overcoming challenges and ensuring the effective implementation of various schemes and programs for PwDs.

The State Advisory Board on Disability, consisting of MLAs, representatives from various departments, and organizations working for the causes of PwDs, deliberated on diverse issues related to the welfare and development of PwDs. The discussions included matters such as the identification of employees with disabilities in government and other state PSUs, revision of conveyance allowance for employees with disabilities, inclusive education for children with disabilities, incentivizing health insurance companies to formulate insurance schemes for PwDs, and coverage of PwDs under BSKY.

Other topics addressed in the meeting encompassed sign language training for employees at police stations and hospitals, availability of universally accessible education material in Braille and sign language, subsidized loans for entrepreneurs with disabilities, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of social security scheme benefits, encouragement of the private sector to employ PwDs, revision of GST on smart appliances, concession on the purchase of private vehicles for PwDs, preventive screening for blood-related disorders, strengthening the office of State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD), felicitation of sports persons with disabilities at par with normal sports persons, and accessible audits of all public buildings.

A comprehensive presentation on the department’s activities was made through a Power Point presentation, and Smt. Niyati Patnaik, Director, SSEPD, extended a warm welcome. Various organizations and individuals offered proposals and recommendations during the meeting. Senior officers from government departments were also present to contribute to the discussions and deliberations.