JOIN USUnion Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishna Pal Gurjar has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aim was to reach out to all physically-challenged persons to minimise their sufferings and to empower them.
He was speaking after inaugurating a camp for free distribution of aids and prosthetic devices by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (Alimco), in association with the district administration, here, on Tuesday.
Stating that such mega events for the physically-challenged persons are being held to promote transparency and to educate people about the benefits extended by the governments, he said, his ministry, in the past two years, had issued aids and prosthetic devices to 5.5 lakh physically-challenged persons across the nation.
“Steps were taken to modernise Alimco to increase productivity and collaboration. Alimco has collaborated with German and UK agencies to enhance efficacy of its products. Soon, all Central government buildings will become disabled-friendly and steps will be taken to make all public places, like railway stations, disabled-friendly too,” he said.
Gurjar added that universal identity cards, which are valid anywhere across India, had been launched for the physically-challenged to help them avail benefits without any hiccups.
“For children below the age of six years with speech and hearing problems, the Central government is providing free cochlear transplantation that costs Rs 6 lakh. So far, 470 children have availed of the benefit,’’ he added. In view of providing health care to the physically-challenged and their family members, the Centre pays 90% of the premium of Swavlamban Health Insurance Scheme of the New India Assurance Company,” he said.
Aids and prosthetic devices worth Rs 1.01 crore were handed over to 1,135 beneficiaries from across the district.