Shillong, October 6: Up to 1000 Aids and Assistive devices costing about Rs. 15 lakh were distributed to the assessed Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), free of cost, at the Samajik Adhikarita Shivir and distribution programme under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organized by Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) in collaboration with Health Department, Meghalaya and office of the MP, Rajya Sabha, Shillong at Shillong Club here on Thursday.
Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma attended the programme and distributed the aids to PWDs as the chief guest, in the presence of MP, Rajya Sabha Wansuk Syiem as guest of honour, Secretary, Health H.M. Shangpliang, P&O Officer, ALIMCO, Guwahati, Rajesh Das and team, Liaison Officer to MP, Rajya Sabha, L.oma N. Jyrwa, several other officials, leaders of NGOs, agencies and institutions working for the welfare of the PWDs and family members of the PWDs, among others.
In his address on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the approach of the State Government has always been inclusive and its intention is to empower all sections of the citizens in the truest sense of the term and give the sense of general well-being. It has embarked upon new legislative measures, in sync with the nation and come up with support system in the form of social assistance, not confining only to PWDs but also the infirm, single mothers and widows, he added.
He expressed a sense of gratitude to those who work tirelessly to improve the aids and assistive devices for the PWDs with new and innovative designs, adding that only those families having members with disabilities would understand the value of these updated aids and equipments.
On the complaints and hassles of issuing medical certificates for these vulnerable group of people, the Chief Minister stressed on the need to have a mechanism in place for the PWDs to avail such certificates without hindrance. He suggested that the Social Welfare department come up with a single window system and make the system simple in such a way that the certificates can be delivered to the PWDs directly to their homes.
Rajya Sabha MP Wansuk Syiem, in her brief address, said that the Government has been implementing several schemes for the welfare of PWDs by using aids and appliances manufactured by ALIMCO, which is operating across the country and the North East as well in collaboration with various and NGOs and agencies. She informed that very soon similar camp would also be organized in Garo Hills for distribution of such aids to PWDs.
Earlier, P&O Officer ALIMCO, Rajesh Das, in his welcome address, informed that the whole State of Meghalaya would be covered by them in assessment of PWDs and distribution of assistive devices for them and if some of them have been left out, they would come back again and hold similar camp for them. He also said that updated aids like smart canes and smart phones were being distributed for the first time in Meghalaya.
Later, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries personally handed over the aids and assistive devices to the beneficiaries.
