Government announces pension to handicapped

Darbhanga, Jun 12 (UNI) The Bihar government has announced a pension plan for the handicapped, who are above 18 yeas of age, and for widows as well.

Addressing All India Handicapped Awareness Council(AIHAC), a awareness conference under the auspices of ''Indian handicapped's rights and awareness campaign,'' State Social Welfare Minister Rameshwar Paswan reiterated here today that his government was committed to protect the rights of the physically challenged and socially deprived people.

He said the government had identified 18,87,611 handicapped in the state and was putting serious efforts for the redressal of their grievances. He further said identity cards would be distributed to the disabled in block level camps.

Mr Paswan added that the government had already issued instructions to the district magistrates to hold special Janta darbar on every third Monday of the month for the handicapped to listen the problems and redress of their socio-economic grievances.

AIHAC president Vimal Jain highlighted the pathetic conditions of the differently abled in the state and lambasted both the Centre and the state government for poor treatment.

He alleged that the resolutions adopted and passed were more or less accepted by the government but those were never implemented.

UNI