Special support programme for divyang entrepreneurs soon

Visakhapatnam: Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu announced that a special programme will soon be launched to support small businesses started by persons with disabilities (Divyangs) in Srikakulam.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Department of Welfare of Disabled and Senior Citizens at the Srikakulam district headquarters on Sunday, Ram Mohan Naidu said the district administration would work out an action plan to support Divyang entrepreneurs.

The Civil Aviation Minister said special medical camps for persons with disabilities have been organised since 2020. Necessary assistive equipment was also procured through MPLADS funds and distributed free of cost to several beneficiaries.

As part of the programme organised on Sunday, 230 beneficiaries received electric mobility aids worth Rs 1.50 crore. The distribution included 130 electric tricycles and 100 electric wheelchairs. Ram Mohan Naidu interacted with the beneficiaries and enquired about their requirements. He advised them to undergo proper training and operate the advanced electric vehicles exercising caution.

The Civil Aviation Minister stated that the problems endured by persons with disabilities were identified through grievance programmes carried out in the district.

Ram Mohan Naidu said that the ‘Swabhiman’ programme was conceived with the objective of providing special support and opportunities to persons with disabilities after witnessing the challenges they experience. He thanked district collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar for extending complete support to the initiative.

Srikakulam collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar, Srikakulam MLA Gondu Shankar, Airport Authority of India Joint General Manager Ram Ji Prasad and others participated in the programme.

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