Health and Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil today held a meeting with representatives of the Blind Persons Association (BPA) and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) to discuss various issues related to the welfare of visually impaired persons.
The Minister said the government remains committed to addressing their concerns with sensitivity and assurance of sympathetic consideration of the demands raised by both organisations.
He informed that around 311 posts reserved for visually impaired candidates are currently lying vacant in various departments, out of which recruitment for 174 posts is in the final stage. These include 41 posts in the School Education Department, 13 in the Animal Husbandry Department, four in the Health & Family Welfare Department, and others across different departments.
Dr. Shandil further announced that the social security pension for Divyangjans with 100 per cent disability has been increased from ₹1,700 to ₹3,000 per month, benefiting approximately 7,000 persons with disabilities.
He added that several other issues, including free travel in HRTC buses through the Him Bus Card, enhancement of conveyance allowance, skill training for visually impaired employees, appointment of an independent State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, matters related to the Sahara Pension Yojana, and the functioning of special schools at Sundernagar (Mandi) and Dhalli (Shimla), would be examined sympathetically.
The Minister assured the representatives that the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, is focused on creating greater opportunities for youth, which will also benefit persons with disabilities.
He also assured that he would personally take up the demand for allocation of a vacant space for an office with the concerned authorities.
योग के रंग में रंगे नन्हे कदम, सनरॉक में गूंजा स्वस्थ जीवन का संदेश
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
