several schemes for differently-abled: CM

• Pension doubled to 1,000 for those with 50% disability
• 3G phones for all PG students and two-wheelers for those passing PG in first class
• Low interest loans to help them become self-employed
• Rs1 lakh marriage assistance and Rs 1 lakh housing loan also

Hyderabad: With a view to enabling differently-abled people to lead a normal life in line with the mainstream population, the state government will soon take up several welfare schemes for their better education, employment and self-employment. This was announced by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Tuesday while addressing a gathering at the celebrations of ‘World Disabled Day’ organised by the state government. Kiran Reddy announced hike in the pension amount from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 for physically challenged people (with more than 50 per cent disability) by January 2014.

In order to encourage the challenged individuals to focus on education and pursue higher studies, the Chief Minister promised that the government would provide 3G phones to all the disabled post graduation students. And, those passing out PG in first division would be given two-wheelers. “I have already asked the officials to figure out the total eligible candidates in the State, in this regard,” he said. According to the Chief Minister, to help the challenged people become self-employed, the government is planning to aid them financially by giving a low-interest loan through a special fund of Rs 500 crore. The low interest loan will be disbursed Self Help Groups (SHG).

“To roll out this scheme at the earliest time, I will be holding a meeting with bankers in a fortnight’s time,” he said. Marriage assistance of Rs 1 lakh would be given to differently-abled persons who get married to normal or challenged person, and also housing loan of Rs 1 lakh per family would be given at par with the loans given to the SC, ST groups. Meanwhile, certain agitated disabled persons staged a protest demanding government jobs by sporting black badges and raising anti-CM slogans when he was about to begin his speech.

An undeterred Kiran Reddy continued with his speech by saying that such slogans would not affect him. The agitators were later moved from the auditorium by the security personnel. Referring to the demand by disabled welfare groups to form a Sub-Plan for them on a par with SC, ST Sub-Plans, he said that the formation of Sub-Plan would not benefit much as its constitution was based on the total population. The total population of disabled individuals in the State is 14 lakh. Earlier, Women Child Disabled Welfare Minister Sunita Laxma Reddy urged the CM to set up a commission for disabled community. She also sought reservations for them in the upcoming Metro Rail transport system and in posting for disabled employees. The programme saw participation of differently-abled children and adults who descended to the venue from the city and the neighbouring districts. Two-wheelers, special laptops for differently-abled PG and graduate students besides hearing-aid equipments were distributed at the programme.

Cultural programmes were staged by specially challenged children at the celebrations.