Minister directs deptts to fill up posts for disabled

Chandigarh, Apr 4 (UNI) Punjab Minister of state for welfare of SCs and BCs, Social security and development of women and children Gurkanwal Kaur today directed all the concerned departments to fill the backlog of three per cent of posts reserved for physical challenged persons by June 30 this year.

Presiding over a state coordination committee constituted under Persons with Disability Act, she pointed out that it was noticed that most of the deparments had not filled the backlog of posts reserved for handicapped persons till date despite there was no restriction or ban on filling up of such posts. She cautioned the concerned authorities that no laxity would be allowed as the state government was fully committed for the welfare of the handicapped persons and to provide various facilities approved for them.

The minister directed the health authorities to issue disability cetificates to the handicapped persons free of cost and in case a handicapped person was not able to come to the hospital, then a board of doctors should be sent to examine and issue certificate to him/her at the residence at the earliest.

She directed the transport authorities to ensure that keeping in view the problems being faced by the physically challenged persons, in future buses with 'lower base' should be purchased. .

The minister also urged the PWD (B&R), PUDA and local government authorities to ensure ramps/lifts in public buildings to be constructed in future.

She directed the education department to draft a proposal for setting up of special schools at district headquarters so that children with disabilities could have access to quality education in government schools besides initiating teachers training programmes to educate them to teach these children.

Mr R L Kalsia, commissioner for disability and Secretary social security convened and Mr S R Ladhar, Additional Commissioner for Disability and Director social security and other senior officers representing various departments besides an NGO Mr Sunil Kathuria were also present in the meeting.

UNI HS TM HT1927