Srinagar,October 31 (Scoop News) – Underlining need for organizing “ Ang Dan” (artificial limbs) camps in remote and rural areas of the State, particularly, in Kashmir Valley to bring more physically challenged persons under this programme, Minister for Social Welfare, Ms. Sakina Itoo has said past 20 years of turmoil in the State has left a large number of people physically handicapped.
The Minister was addressing at “Ang Dan” camp organized by Border Roads Organization Wives Welfare Association (BROWWA) in collaboration with Akhal Bharati Marwadi Yuwa Munch, (ABMYM) here at BEACON complex, Rangrath, today.
Among prominent, Major General 15 Cops, Suresh Khajuria, Brig T.P.S Rawat, Chief Engineer, Project Beacon, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Meraj Ahmad Kakroo, President, BROWWA, s. Sarita Rawat, Convenor, Akhal Bharati Marwadi Yuwa Munch, Raman Agerwal, besides senior officers from Border Roads Organization were present on the occasion.
Ms. Sakina said that State Government is making all out efforts to improve the standard of weaker sections of the society, including persons in distress and physically challenged by way of providing monthly pension to sustain their lives. She said physically challenged persons are getting Rs. 400 per month, which needs to be enhanced. She said the matter would be taken up with the Centre for enhancement.
The Minister said that past twenty years’ turmoil in the State has left thousands physically handicapped, adding need is to conduct a thorough survey so that exact number of such persons is ascertained. She said this number is high in border areas as border skirmishes also have left a large number of people physically handicapped.
Ms Sakina said the persons having 40% physical defects are eligible for monthly pension. She said under newly launched scheme, Indra Gandhi National Disable Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), the criteria has been fixed to 80% physical defects, which need to be relaxed to 40% so that maximum deserving persons can be brought under the purview of this scheme.
Appreciating the role of ABMYM, the Minister said that NGOs’ of the State should follow the policies and programmes of this organization. She said the Munch is working without any financial aid of the Government, adding that our NGOs should also adopt this scheme and become self reliant. She said State Government would extend all possible help to the organization in organizing such more camps in other districts, particularly in remote and border areas.
Agerwal, while speaking on the occasion, said that the aim of the organization is to provide free artificial limbs to the needy. He said organization has planned to provide artificial limbs to 106 persons. He said Munch has 628 branches in 18 states and have provided artificial limbs to 4 lac persons so far. Aggerwal said more such camps would be conducted at district level so that more people are brought under this programme. He said the organization is distributing artificial limbs among the needy on humanitarians grounds free of cost.
Suresh Khajurai and Rawat also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the aim and objectives of the programme.