Chandigarh, January 11 ; A high-level meeting of the Punjab State Advisory Board, chaired by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, was held at Punjab Bhawan. The Minister emphasized making government schemes accessible to Divyang persons. She directed officials to implement these schemes effectively at the grassroots level.

Baljit Kaur Reviews Welfare Initiatives

Dr. Baljit Kaur reviewed the status of welfare initiatives and instructed various departments to expedite their implementation. She instructed officials to complete the pending work on 144 government buildings. These buildings are in 10 districts under the SIPDA scheme. Complete this within the specified time frame. She stressed making all government buildings barrier-free within three years.She also asked the department to prepare a detailed proposal. To monitor progress, the Social Security Department issued instructions. A five-member committee, led by the Deputy Commissioner at the district level, should be notified.

Divyang Persons : Minister Stresses RPWD Act Compliance

The Minister emphasized the need to strictly implement the provisions of the RPWD Act, 2016. This is essential to safeguard reservation benefits for Divyang persons. She directed the submission of a detailed report on benefits provided under these provisions during the next board meeting. Taking serious note of the pending UDID card applications, Dr. Baljit Kaur directed the Health and Family Welfare Department to clear these applications within a month. She also instructed the department to present a comprehensive proposal in the next board meeting. This proposal will address challenges faced by Divyang Persons in obtaining UDID cards. Civil Surgeons received instructions to organize special camps. These camps will address discrepancies in disability percentage. They will also tackle other issues related to UDID cards.

Punjab Sports Policy 2023: Benefits and Initiatives for Disabled Athletes”

The Sports Department informed the board about the benefits for disabled athletes. They also discussed the incentives under the Punjab Sports Policy 2023. This policy highlights that Punjab is the first state in the region to offer such special benefits. The Minister directed the department to prioritize resolving grading issues faced by disabled athletes. To uplift the living standards of Divyang Persons, Dr. Baljit Kaur instructed board members to identify such individuals in collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs). She encouraged them to support individuals who are willing to undergo vocational training. Furthermore, she also directed the Employment Generation and Skill Development Department to organize special camps specifically for this purpose.

“Minister Urges Divyangs to Register for Employment Schemes in Ludhiana”

Cabinet Minister appealed to all Divyang persons to register at the Special Employment Exchange. It is established at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Ludhiana. This registration is to avail government schemes for vocational training and employment. Dr. Baljit Kaur also instructed the Urban Development and Rural Development Departments. Their priority is to provide agricultural land and housing to persons with disabilities under Section 37 of the RPWD Act. She emphasized ensuring effective dissemination of information regarding these schemes.

“Dr. Baljit Kaur Calls for Priority in Addressing Divyang Issues

She urged officials from various departments to prioritize resolving Divyang Persons’ issues. They must ensure the appointment of grievance redressal officers. Officials must follow the notification issued by the Social Security Department. Additionally, they should make these details available on the respective departmental websites. Furthermore, Dr. Baljit Kaur informed the board about last year’s special campaign, which aimed to identify backlog vacancies for Divyang Persons. So far, 21 departments have already sent requisitions to the Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board. Moreover, they have also sent requisitions to the Punjab Public Service Commission to fill these positions.

Punjab government is committed to the welfare of Divyang Persons

Dr. Baljit Kaur affirmed that the Punjab government is committed to the welfare of Divyang Persons. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann leads these efforts. The government is working tirelessly to ensure their well-being.