Ministry for welfare of disabled sought

Addressing a press conference after holding a grievance meet at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office here on Friday, Rajanna said that at present the Women and Child Welfare Department and the Social Welfare Department share the responsibility of disabled and senior citizens.

“A separate portfolio with secretary is necessary in the State. Orelse, the Women and Child Welfare Department should be given the entire responsibility and it should be renamed as Women, Child, Disabled and Senior Citizens’ Welfare Department,” he added.

He said that the district administration has been asked to set up resource centres for disabled in each district and taluk headquarters.

“It is the responsibility of the district administration to open such centres and provide medical aid and other facilities to the disabled,” he said adding that the centre should also function as an information centre for the disabled.

As per the rules, the Deputy Commissioner of the district will be the district officer for the disabled.

Those who have any grievances can meet the deputy commissioner and file complaints or submit applications, Rajanna said.

17,155 disabled in dist

Rajanna said that nearly six per cent of the population in the State. Meanwhile, the total number of disabled in Dakshina Kannada is 17,155, he said adding that identity cards were distributed to 15,905 persons in the district.

He called upon disabled persons to co-operate and furnish all details during the survey to be conducted in 2011.