Himachal Pradesh government is providing computerized disability certificates to specially-abled persons to enable them in getting the benefits of various state and centrally sponsored schemes.

Social Justice and Empowerment minister Rajiv Saizal said the government is sensitive towards welfare of specially-abled people and several schemes have been implemented for their socio-economic upliftment.

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“In order to avail the benefits of these schemes disability certificate is must and the disability is identified by the medical board for which two days in a week have been earmarked at District Hospitals.

In addition to this the disability is also identified in the disability camps which are organised from time to time in different parts of the state,” he said, adding

89,327 specially-abled identity cards were issued till March this year.

In order to encourage and give financial benefits to the specially-abled people and to provide education to the people who have more than 40 percent disability, a monthly scholarship of Rs. 625 to Rs. 3750 is being given without any income criteria.

A sum of Rs 65 Lakh was spent to give scholarship to 692 students during last fiscal, he said.

In order to make these people economically viable, ‘Self Employment Assistance’ scheme has been launched.

Under the scheme specially-abled people are provided loan facility for setting up of small ventures through Minorities Finance and Development Corporation. 20 percent of total project cost or Rs 10 thousand is being provided by Social Justice and Empowerment Department, he said.

Saizal said more than 80 percent disabled person are being provided monthly pension of Rs 1300. In addition to this, people having 40 to 69 percent disability and their annual income is less than Rs 35000, are provided monthly disability allowance of Rs 750. Mentally challenged people are also provided disablity allowance without any income criteria.

He said in order to make specially-abled people employable they are being provided vocational training to enhance their skill. A sum of Rs 1000 per month is also provided to each trainee.

In order to encourage the Marriage with specially-abled boys and girls a sum of Rs 25000 (if disability 42 to 74 percent) and Rs 50000 (If disability is more than 75 percent) under the ‘Marriage Subsidy Scheme’ is provided, he added.