Make use of self-employment schemes, official urges differently-abled persons

Differently-abled individuals encouraged to utilize self-employment schemes for increased opportunities, as stated by Department of State Secretary.

The differently-abled people should make use of the self-employment schemes as these will provide employment opportunities to not just one person but also to 50 others, said Secretary, Department of State Women, Children, Disabled and Senior Citizens, A. Suryakumari.

Participating in a programme organised by the department at the Siddhartha Academy Auditorium in Vijayawada on December 3, Tuesday, to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), Ms. Suryakumari said Andhra Pradesh is at the forefront in the implementation of welfare schemes for the differently-abled persons.

She explained that the process of issuing certificates to differently-abled persons will see a change. As a pilot project, the new process is being implemented in two districts and the reports of the same would be brought to the notice of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, she said.

NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha said the State government has introduced many schemes for the welfare of differently-abled people and that the administration is doing its best in ensuring that the benefits are reaching every beneficiary.

Vijayawada East MLA Gadde Rammohan Rao said if proper guidance and encouragement are provided, there is nothing that the differently-abled persons cannot achieve and promised to them that the State government will provide all the necessary support for their development. He said provision of ₹6,000 as pension every month is a testimony to this.

Many differently-abled children exhibited their talent at the programme. Tricycles and hearing aids were distributed among them. Prizes were given away to winners of competitions held for them in the past few days.