News & Announcement
Pakyong Holds First District-Level Committee Meeting on Persons with Disabilities
Pakyong, July 20 (IPR): The first District-Level Committee meeting on Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) was convened at the DDMA Control Hall, Pakyong, today. The meeting was chaired by District Collector, Pakyong, Ms Pari Bishnoi.
The committee comprises the District Collector, Pakyong, as Chairperson; SDM (HQ) Pakyong, Mr Thendup Lepcha ; Chief Medical Officer, Pakyong District, Dr Madanmani Dhakal; Psychiatrist, District Hospital Singtam Dr Bibhusan Dahal; along with the Public Prosecutor of the respective district; a representative from the registered organisation NGO SARATHI; a person with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment whose participation in society is hindered by barriers; and the Social Welfare Officer, WCSC&DD Pakyong District, as Member Secretary.
The meeting deliberated on measures for the rehabilitation, empowerment and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, with emphasis on ensuring accessibility and support at the grassroots level.
During the meeting, District Collector, Pakyong, stressed the importance of identifying and reaching out to PwDs across the district through coordinated field-level efforts. She emphasised the need to organise Gram-level special camps for the identification, screening, assessment and distribution of Unique Disability Identity Cards (UDID), along with assistive devices, so that eligible beneficiaries may access the facilities and support available to them.
The District Collector also apprised the committee about Section 72 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and highlighted the responsibilities of the committee in promoting the rights and welfare of Persons with Disabilities. She urged all departments under the district administration to create greater awareness regarding the provisions, schemes and facilities available for PwDs.
The committee was informed that its functions include advising the district authorities on matters relating to the rehabilitation and empowerment of Persons with Disabilities; monitoring the implementation of the provisions of the Act and rules made thereunder; assisting in the implementation of Government schemes and programmes for the empowerment of PwDs; examining complaints relating to non-implementation of the provisions of the Act and recommending remedial measures; and considering appeals made by employees of Government establishments aggrieved by actions taken under sub-section (4) of Section 23 of the Act. It was further noted that the committee shall meet at least once every three months and may undertake any other functions assigned by the State Government.
Deputy Director, WCSC&DD, Ms Dikit Lepcha briefed the meeting about various schemes being implemented under the department. She informed the meeting that the Chief Minister’s State Disability Pension Scheme (CMDPS) provides monthly financial assistance to individuals in Sikkim with disabilities ranging from 40 % and above, while the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme extends financial support to 80% and above beneficiaries.
She also briefed the committee about the Sikkim Grant of Award for Marriage with Persons with Disabilities, which provides a one-time grant of Rs. 2 lakh with the objective of encouraging social inclusion and assimilation of Persons with Disabilities into the mainstream of society. In addition, she highlighted the significance of the Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID) in enabling PwDs to access various Government schemes, benefits and services, as well as the distribution of assistive devices to eligible beneficiaries.
Ms Lepcha further informed the meeting about the various awareness campaigns and outreach activities being conducted at the grassroots level for Persons with Disabilities in the district.
The meeting also discussed the need for strengthening livelihood support for Persons with Disabilities through skill development training, provision of equipment and assistance for entrepreneurial activities. Members deliberated on measures to facilitate marketing support for PwDs interested in starting their own ventures.
The committee comprises the District Collector, Pakyong, as Chairperson; SDM (HQ) Pakyong, Mr Thendup Lepcha ; Chief Medical Officer, Pakyong District, Dr Madanmani Dhakal; Psychiatrist, District Hospital Singtam Dr Bibhusan Dahal; along with the Public Prosecutor of the respective district; a representative from the registered organisation NGO SARATHI; a person with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment whose participation in society is hindered by barriers; and the Social Welfare Officer, WCSC&DD Pakyong District, as Member Secretary.
The meeting deliberated on measures for the rehabilitation, empowerment and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, with emphasis on ensuring accessibility and support at the grassroots level.
During the meeting, District Collector, Pakyong, stressed the importance of identifying and reaching out to PwDs across the district through coordinated field-level efforts. She emphasised the need to organise Gram-level special camps for the identification, screening, assessment and distribution of Unique Disability Identity Cards (UDID), along with assistive devices, so that eligible beneficiaries may access the facilities and support available to them.
The District Collector also apprised the committee about Section 72 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and highlighted the responsibilities of the committee in promoting the rights and welfare of Persons with Disabilities. She urged all departments under the district administration to create greater awareness regarding the provisions, schemes and facilities available for PwDs.
The committee was informed that its functions include advising the district authorities on matters relating to the rehabilitation and empowerment of Persons with Disabilities; monitoring the implementation of the provisions of the Act and rules made thereunder; assisting in the implementation of Government schemes and programmes for the empowerment of PwDs; examining complaints relating to non-implementation of the provisions of the Act and recommending remedial measures; and considering appeals made by employees of Government establishments aggrieved by actions taken under sub-section (4) of Section 23 of the Act. It was further noted that the committee shall meet at least once every three months and may undertake any other functions assigned by the State Government.
Deputy Director, WCSC&DD, Ms Dikit Lepcha briefed the meeting about various schemes being implemented under the department. She informed the meeting that the Chief Minister’s State Disability Pension Scheme (CMDPS) provides monthly financial assistance to individuals in Sikkim with disabilities ranging from 40 % and above, while the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme extends financial support to 80% and above beneficiaries.
She also briefed the committee about the Sikkim Grant of Award for Marriage with Persons with Disabilities, which provides a one-time grant of Rs. 2 lakh with the objective of encouraging social inclusion and assimilation of Persons with Disabilities into the mainstream of society. In addition, she highlighted the significance of the Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID) in enabling PwDs to access various Government schemes, benefits and services, as well as the distribution of assistive devices to eligible beneficiaries.
Ms Lepcha further informed the meeting about the various awareness campaigns and outreach activities being conducted at the grassroots level for Persons with Disabilities in the district.
The meeting also discussed the need for strengthening livelihood support for Persons with Disabilities through skill development training, provision of equipment and assistance for entrepreneurial activities. Members deliberated on measures to facilitate marketing support for PwDs interested in starting their own ventures.
