Haryana to set up Viklang Jan Sansthan

Chandigarh, Mar 14 (UNI) Haryana Government has a plan to set up a "Viklang Jan Sansthan'' where training in different trades would be imparted to illiterate persons with disabilities so as to rehabilitate them.

A committee, headed by Chief Secretary, has also been constituted in this regard, it was revealed at a day-long seminar on Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities for Inclusive Rural Development, held at Panchkula, near here today.

The first of its kind seminar was organised by the office of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Haryana Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, Mrs Kartar Devi said in her inaugural address that she would urge the State Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda to consider making a reservation for persons with disabilities in Panchayats on the pattern of women and members belonging to Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes so as to give them equal opportunity in developmental process.

The Minister said that efforts had also been made to complete the backlog of vacancies for disabled persons.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Commissioner, T.D.

Dhariyal pointed out that as per census 2001, as much as 2.1 per cent of India's population was suffering from disability of one or the other kind.

About 75 per cent of them were in rural areas and most of them belonged to the poorest strata of the society with high percentage of illiteracy.

He regretted that utilisation of funds or inclusion of persons with disabilities in various poverty alleviation schemes has remained between 0.37 per cent and 1.07 per cent despite efforts made by concerned ministries and departments.

Commissioner, Disabilties, Haryana, Dr. Baldev Karora said that there was a need to sensitise the teachers about the needs of disabled students.

UNI JN MMS1947