CM Naidu Promises More Support to Differently Abled Persons
The Chief Minister noted that individuals with disabilities continue to excel across fields with confidence and determination, citing the recent T20 Blind Women's World Cup where Manyam cricketer Karuna Kumari showcased exceptional talent
Vijayawada:Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has promised to extend all support to the differently abled persons and said, “Let us draw inspiration from them.”
Addressing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities programme at Thummalapalli Kala Kshetram here on Wednesday,the CM announced several sops to the physically challenged persons. They include, free travel facility in RTC buses; nomination of one physically challenged representative in local bodies, corporations and public sector enterprises; implementation of financial subsidies on par with SC, ST,BC and Minorities; opportunities in sports through Sports Authority of AP; allotment of ground floor for physically challenged in housing projects; setting up of a degree college for the hearing impaired at Bapatla; pension distribution for physically challenged students in residential colleges and hostels and construction of a Divyang Bhavan in Amaravati.
The CM appreciated the victory of Indian Women’s Blind Cricket Team players including Karuna Kumari and captain Deepika.
He announced a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh on behalf of the state government to Karuna Kumari and construction of a house. He also announced a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh to Deepika and construction of a house for her too. A cash prize of Rs 2.50 lakh goes to coach Ajay Kumar Reddy.
The CM presented a cheque worth Rs 10 lakh to the entire team on behalf of Andhra Cricket Association; and on behalf of ACA and Gottipati Harshavardhan to Karuna Kumar Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh. Later, the visually impaired were given some specially designed apparatus.
The CM said differently abled persons were never weak and they were able in several aspects. If they were given a little support, they could secure victory. He described them as epitome of will power and capabilities and called for providing them equal opportunities, rights and respect similar to all others in the society.
Naidu vowed efforts to come up with policies that would eliminate all hurdles that come in their growth. Nowhere else in the country do the differently abled persons get Rs 6,000 as pension, as in AP, he said.
Maintaining that 7.68 lakh differently-abled persons were being provided with a monthly pension of Rs 470 crore, involving an expenditure of Rs 6,000 crore annually, the CM announced to extend a special recruitment drive to fill up backlog posts for them.
He also promised to give them 1,800 motor vehicles this year in addition to the distribution of wheelchairs, tricycles and hearing aids to nearly 14,000 persons.
