Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh is mindful of every section of the society. He has convened panchayats and mahapanchayats of almost all the sections including farmers, artisans, women, scheduled tribes and scheduled caste for meeting them one-to-one, discussing with them their problems and thrashing out permanent solutions to their long-pending demands which were not solved by earlier governments. In the same series, the CM organised Nishaktjan Panchayat (Conference of disabled persons) at his residence, reports SMS News and Features.

Addressing Nishakt Panchayat, Shivraj said that there would be no let-up in the effort for empowerment of the disabled persons in the state. Fresh steps would be taken for providing better education and socio-economic rehabilitation of them at every level. The CM assured that proper enforcement of the Disabled Persons (equal opportunities, protection of rights and total participation) Act 1995 would be ensured.

The CM's concern for economic rehabilitation of physically challenged persons was offset by his announcement that a scheme for providing grant and loan at four percent interest rate would be introduced soon for economic rehabilitation of the disabled persons. He also announced tax-exemption on vehicles used by them.

The CM said that all efforts would be made to help the disabled persons become educationally, economically and socially self-reliant. Efforts to this end are not mere political ritual. The government realizes its responsibility and would discharge it with utmost sincerity, he added.

The CM said that a campaign would be carried out for distribution of disability certificate to the disabled persons. Under this, certificates would be issued to all the identified persons latest by June 15, 2008. The public health and family welfare department would set up a medical board for this. Applications would be received online as well.

Chouhan presented cheques of cash awards to the disabled persons who won medals at the Disabled Persons Olympiad held at Shanghai (China). He presented Rs 50,000 cheque to Abhijeet Modak of Jabalpur, Rs. 25,000 to Aziz Khan of Bhopal and Rs. 15,000 to Shahbaz Khan of Panna. He also announced a cash award of Rs. 50,000 for Pragya Soni, a meritorious student of Bhopal and Rs. 25,000 for Ashish Chatterjee of Hoshangabad for doing outstanding work toward education of disabled persons.

It may be mentioned that over 23 lakh handicapped persons have been benefited by various schemes launched by the state government for their welfare during the last three and half years. The Nishaktjan Panchayat held on April 29 was indeed a novel effort. Physical, social and economic problems faced by handicapped persons were addressed and their requirements were fulfilled after direct discussion with them. Not only this, but an effective strategy for handicapped persons' all round development and rehabilitation was also chalked out after assessment and analysis of their problems and suggestions mooted by them.

The state government has launched many welfare schemes for the handicapped persons. Deendayal Samarth Karyayojana was executed from September 25, 2004 to August 31, 2006 for the welfare of handicapped persons and Samarthta Abhiyan was launched. Since September 1, 2006 three-year action plan "Utthan Abhiyan" has been started for integrated rehabilitation of handicapped persons.

In all 3,236 camps have been organised during six-month period of Samarthta Abhiyan and later during Utthan Abhiyan at which health check up of 8,14,713 handicapped persons was done. During the last three and half years 1,62,305 handicapped persons have been provided tricycles, wheelchairs, hearing aides, crutches, calipers, shoes, artificial limbs free of cost for their physical rehabilitation.

As many as 7,50,639 handicapped persons have been issued handicapped certificates and identity cards. During the same period, social security pension was provided to 4,31,182 handicapped persons. Under various beneficiary-oriented schemes for economic rehabilitation of handicapped persons, 9,896 beneficiaries were benefited. For physical rehabilitation, 36,214 handicapped persons were subjected to corrective surgery. During this period, 9,396 handicapped persons were imparted vocational training in various trades at I.T.Is, Polytechnics and other educational institutions for making them self-employed.

According to officials sources, construction work congenial for handicapped persons' conveyance was undertaken at about 60 thousand government and private buildings during this period. With a view to further ensuring economic rehabilitation of handicapped persons, 8,917 self help groups have been constituted in the state since September 2004. Apart from above mentioned schemes, the state government has also ensured proper education of 1,25,600 handicapped children by getting them admitted in general schools and 4,167 handicapped persons have been provided self-employment.

The quantum of stipends for handicapped students at the primary level has also been increased besides raising the upper annual income limit of parents/guardians of handicapped students from Rs 24000 to Rs 96,000. As many as 60,537 students were given stipends under Utthan Abhiyan.

Education/training was imparted to 11,043 handicapped students through 14 government and private institution which get voluntary grant. Proposals to the tune of Rs three crore 32 lakh have been forwarded for approval to the Union government Central Assistance Grant to 49 non-government voluntary organisations which are eligible under Deendayal Nishakt Punarwas Yojana. Besides, 24 District Handicapped Rehabilitation Centres have been opened for rehabilitation of handicapped persons.