Chief Minister Eknath Shinde today directed that 10% of stalls at all ST bus depots in the state should be reserved for the Divyang (differently abled). He also instructed the development of a scheme for differently-abled students on the lines of the Swadhar scheme and the start of a verification system for disability certificates in government jobs to ensure genuine differently-abled individuals get opportunities. He emphasised that all government departments should seriously consider the issues of the differently-abled and ensure that the schemes and programmes for them reach the needy, ensuring all necessary support.
In the meeting at Sahyadri Guest House under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, various issues related to the differently-abled in the state were discussed. The Chairman and Chief Guide of the State-level Committee of the Divyang Welfare Department's Divyang at Your Doorstep campaign, MLA Omprakash alias Bachchu Kadu, along with senior officials from various departments including Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department Dr. Nitin Kareer, Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department Nitin Gadre, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department Rajgopal Devara, Additional Chief Secretary of the Rural Development Department Asimkumar Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Brijesh Singh, Principal Secretary of the Higher and Technical Education Department Vikas Rastogi , and Secretary of the Divyang Welfare Department Abhay Mahajan were present.
Chief Minister Shinde instructed the effective implementation of reservations for the differently-abled in government jobs and to present the backlog statistics department-wise. He also directed the Centre to amend the rules for issuing driving licences to deaf-mute individuals and to send a proposal for this. He suggested starting a separate college for differently-abled graduates.
Reservation for Divyang in contractual recruitment
For contractual recruitment in government departments, Chief Minister Shinde directed the effective implementation of reservations for the differently abled. He also instructed the school to provide examination centres at the same location as the school for differently-abled students in 10th and 12th grades to avoid inconvenience and to provide stalls for the differently-abled at locations that do not obstruct traffic, similar to those for street vendors.
modern technology for scribes and visually impaired students.
Chief Minister Shinde directed the provision of modern technology for scribes and visually impaired students. Considering the difficulties in finding scribes, he emphasised the need for a suitable alternative using modern technology, instructing the Information Technology Department to develop such a system. He also instructed that all government and semi-government department websites, mobile apps, and digital documents should be accessible according to standards for the differently-abled.
A proposal to provide financial assistance to the differently-abled through DBT and Postal Bank will be presented to the cabinet, which will help in timely and efficient disbursement. Special campaigns were also suggested to ensure that the differently-abled receive necessary certificates at the village level.
Chief Minister Shinde also directed taking measures to prevent disabilities and reduce the extent of existing disabilities, along with rehabilitation work for the differently-abled, suggesting gathering information about measures taken in other countries for this purpose.