13 Lakh Divyangjans have Universal ID Cards: Union min

While addressing the inauguration of a national conference Union Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot stated that 28 States have provided 'Universal ID Cards' to around 13 Lakh Divyangjans. He added that Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) has set its seventh Guinness world record.

New Delhi: Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot on Friday said that so far 28 States have provided 'Universal ID Cards' to around 13 Lakh Divyangjans and very soon it will be provided to all Divyangjans of the country.

While speaking at the inauguration of a national conference on "Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)”, Gehlot said that ISLRTC under Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), has recently prepared a Directory comprising 6000 words for the hearing impaired Divyangjans and more than 1700 visually impaired children have been treated with Cochlear Implant Surgery and almost all of them are now leading a normal life.

Gehlot said, "DEPwD has set its seventh Guinness world record with 260 people in Gujarat's Bharuch getting 'Modern Artificial Limbs (Legs)' implanted within eight hours."

He added that DEPwD has already created six world records in other categories and it is a very proud moment for the DEPwD as well as for all Divyangjans of our country.

Under the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme, every year more than 600 NGOs are provided with financial assistance for running their projects for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities such as Special school, pre-school and early intervention, Half-way Homes and Community Based Rehabilitation.

The objective of the conference was to sensitize the stakeholders of the scheme i.e. Programme Implementing Agencies (PIAs), District level officers and State Government officers.