Manmohan Singh wants effective implementation of welfare schemes

New Delhi, Sep 7 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has called for speedy implementation of various welfare schemes, which target the weaker sections of society.

Addressing two-day Annual Conference of State Welfare and Social Justice Ministers in here, Dr. Singh said in view of drought like situation in many parts of the country it is all the more necessary that the monitoring and implementation of schemes like NREGA, Annapurna and old age pension are stepped up.

Dr Singh urged the National Institute of Design to encourage the design of everyday appliances and instruments that cater to the needs of people with various disabilities.

"Central and State Governments and the corporate sector need to work hand in hand so that persons with disabilities get employment opportunities,' he said.

He also said that accessibility is a major issue for persons with disabilities and urged educational and healthcare institutions and other places to be made more user friendly and accessible to the disadvantaged persons.

Dr. Singh said that a new scheme, the Pradhanmantari Aadarsh Gram Yojna is being implemented on pilot basis for integrated development of 1000 villages with more than 50 percent SC population.

He said that if this pilot scheme is successful then it would be expanded. The Prime Minister asked the state government to be pro-active in carrying out schemes meant for the schedules caste, scheduled tribes and backward classes.

Dr. Singh also said that much more needs to be done both on the central and the state levels on the rehabilitation of manual Scavengers.

He also called on the state governments to speed up the follow up action on the legislation for the welfare and the maintenance of senior citizens.

Stressing the need for making people with disabilities, equal citizens of society, Dr Singh called for comprehensive amendment in Persons of Disability Act to make it in line with UN Conventions with inputs from states and stake holders.

Regretting that the incentive scheme to promote employment of persons with disabilities in the private sector has not made much headway in the last one and a half years, Dr. Singh urged the corporate sectors to respond to this scheme in a comprehensive manner. (ANI)