Himachal to have Fashion Technology Institute for disabled
Shimla: A National level Fashion Technology Institute will be set up at Chheb in district Kangra where State would be investing Rs. 58 crore and State to frame ‘A Vision for Disabled’. State was providing free education to every disabled from first standard onwards, 924 disabled provided employment in government services, 3 per cent reservation being provided in government services and HAS etc. and 10 per cent hike to be made over disabled social security pension from 1st January 2009.
This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister while addressing the closing ceremony of the two-day-long First State level Physically Challenged Children Sports Competition jointly organized by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and Youth Services and Sports at Indira Stadium Una today to mark the celebration of World Disabled Day.
Chief Minister said that every disabled child was eligible to get free education at all levels including vocational courses and a scholarship ranging between Rs. 150 to Rs. 450 were also being provided to day boarders while hostlers were drawing scholarship of Rs. 300 to Rs. 900 per month. He said that 51 handicapped were given Rs. 75,41,000 as loan by the State Minority Corporation which had made H.P. leader in the country and had been awarded by the Vice President of India.
Prof. Dhumal said that 25,796 persons were drawing handicapped relief allowance at the rate of Rs. 300 per month and the same would be increased by Rs. 30 from January next year. He said that State Government had also started the State level Award of Rs. 25,000 which had been awarded to Ms. Sanjna Goel of Solan. He said that three rehabilitation Centres had been created at Dhalli, Dari in district Kangra and Sundernagar in district Mandi.
Chief Minister said that three handicapped persons contributing significantly to emerge as role model to the society were also being given Rs. 10,000 each as Reward while normal persons marrying disabled would be eligible to draw an incentive of Rs. 8000 to Rs. 10,000. He said that the State Government had also made it mandatory to listen to the grievances of handicapped on second Monday of every month. He announced Rs. 25,000 to each of the six mentally challenged who had been selected for participation in World Special Olympics and Rs. 10,000 to the visually challenged students from Sundernagar centre.
Prof. Dhumal said that the State Government had started celebration of World Disabled Day since 1997 to draw attention of the able bodied society towards the genuine grievances of the disabled. He cited an example of late Halen Kellar who despite all odds and physical challenges, she made rapid strides and motivated physically challenged people to lead a self sustainable life, emphasised need to equip every physically challenged with skills which could help them lead a secure life. He said that circumstances changed and now number of organizations, NGOs had been formed which were dedicatedly working towards the upliftment of disabled.
