Haryana identifies 2.21 lakh physically challenged

Chandigarh, June 20 (UNI) The Haryana government has started a number of schemes for the uplift of the physically challenged persons.

A spokesman for the Social Justice and Empowerment Department today said that the government had conducted a comprehensive survey and identified 2.21 lakh physically challenged with various disabilities. He said that the government was taking necessary steps for providing education, training, employment and rehabilitation to these handicapped.

He said the identity cards to 21087 handicapped had been issued.

As many as 227 visually handicapped, 61 deaf and dumb and 119 orthopaedically handicapped had been appointed in the different Departments.

Besides 754 posts reserved for different categories of handicapped had been identified and the recruitment process for these posts is under process, he added.

He said the pension of handicapped persons had been doubled from Rs 300 to Rs 600 per month. Similarly, the rates of the retainership allowance had also been enhanced from Rs 1500 to Rs 2000 per month.

The government has also enhanced the rate of financial assistance given to destitute children from Rs 30 to Rs 100 per month, he added.

UNI