STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Stating that 384 Divyangjan were provided government jobs during last financial year and reservation has increased from 3 percent to 4 percent, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday announced that a legal framework will be prepared to ensure employment opportunities to Divyangjan in private sector.
“The posts whether under PSC or JKSSB will be filled within 6 months”, the Lieutenant Governor said while inaugurating, along with Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar, J&K’s first festival of Inclusion, Purple Fest, which aims to showcase a kaleidoscope of abilities hidden inside disabilities and celebrating resilience of Divyangjan.
The Union Minister joined the function virtually.
The Purple Festival is also a call for action to the people and exhort the society to take proactive steps in creating a more inclusive environment. Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament was also present.
The Lt Governor observed that in many areas of life, be it music, films, sports, art, or literature, persons with disabilities have achieved success and greater goals and today they are inspiring the entire society. He said many such great personalities have proved that they have no less capability than anyone else but they have special abilities to contribute in nation building.
Around 5000 people are participating in this unique event which is of, by, and for Divyangjan. A fully accessible event, it is an effort to showcase the minds full of courage, strength and determination of persons with special abilities.
This Festival of Inclusion will be a milestone in the journey of empowerment of Divyangjan in J&K UT. It will inspire every citizen to work unitedly for empowerment and rehabilitation of Divyangjan and to build an inclusive society, he added.
The Lt Governor said, J&K Administration is committed to create an environment that provides equal opportunities and protects the rights of Divyangjan.
“We have achieved saturation in distribution of motorized scooties. The administration has taken over Abhinandan Home for specially-abled students,” the Lt Governor said.
He said, there is a need for all the stakeholders, society, NGOs to adopt a multi-dimensional approach and collaborative efforts to enable persons with disabilities to realize their full individual potential.
“Private companies and individual innovators have made impressive strides in new technology in the last few years. I urge them to develop user friendly instruments for Divyangjan which will help in their rehabilitation process and empowerment,” the Lt Governor further added.
The Lt Governor felicitated the Divyangjan Ambassadors including Para Athletes and Sportspersons for their outstanding contribution in their respective fields. He also handed over wheelchairs and assistive devices to the beneficiaries.
The two-day event will witness distribution of assistive devices, sports competitions in various disciplines, cultural events, fashion show, talent hunt and exhibition.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor; Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare Department; senior officials, members of social organizations and people in large number were present.
Post Art 370 abrogation, issuance of disability certificates streamlined: Sinha
JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday inaugurated the temporary Composite Regional Centre (CRC) for skill development, rehabilitation and empowerment of Divyangjan at Jammu.
The facility will cater to rehabilitation services for different categories of Divyangjan besides skill development training for their empowerment.
The Lt Governor said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought significant change in attitude of society towards Divyangjan and paved the way for their empowerment for quality and independent living. He said, the Prime Minister has changed the thinking of the society towards the Divyangjan who were earlier used to be considered as dependent but now they are full of self-confidence, empowered and scripting new success in their life’s journey.
Jammu Kashmir Administration is committed to empowerment of Divyangjan. Several steps have been taken in J&K post August 2019 to ensure empowerment and comprehensive rights of Divyangjan. District Level Committee has been formed, grievance redressal officer and nodal education officer has been appointed in all 20 districts, he said.
The Lt Governor observed that after the abrogation of Article 370, the Administration has streamlined facilitation of disability certificate issuance for accessing benefits and services. He noted that so far, 176,355 UDID certificates have been issued and 182,338 UDID cards have been generated. As per CCPD data J&K is ranked 6th in the country.
“Efforts are being made through self-employment schemes to provide Divyangjan with facilities, options and opportunities to live their lives with dignity,” the Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor said that special electronic equipment is being provided to Divyangjan to ensure ease of communication and accessibility for persons with visual and hearing disabilities.
“Divyangjan are equal partners in the economic growth of J&K. The administration will ensure Divyangjan lead a life of dignity and self-respect,” the Lt Governor further added.
Later, Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar laid the foundation stone of Composite Regional Centre (CRC) Samba through virtual mode. Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament and Keshav Dutt Sharma, Chairman, District Development Council Samba were also present.
The CRC at Samba will be constructed by NBCC in 38 kanals 18 marlas of land. The estimated cost of construction is Rs 29 crores and the MoU has been signed with NBCC to initiate the construction work and finish the work within a span of one year.