Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Secretary Social Security to clear the backlog by filling all the vacancies in the departments reserved for the blind persons expeditiously. Chairing a meeting of the delegation of State Unit of National Federation of the Blind led by its National General Secretary Mr. S.K. Rongta here at Chief Minister’s Residence this evening, Mr. Badal directed the Secretary Social Security to collect the information related to the vacancies for the blind persons in all the departments within one-and-a-half month and subsequently initiated the recruitment drive to clear the backlog of these vacant posts meant for blind persons at the earliest.The Chief Minister also asked the State Transport department to allow free travel facility to an attendant accompanying the blind person carrying an identity card issued by the Social Security department in the Punjab Roadways/PRTC buses. It may be recalled that as on today 882 such blind persons were availing free travel facility.
Likewise, Mr. Badal also asked the Finance department to examine the case of hiking the existing handicapped allowance from Rs.600 to Rs.1000 per month to its government employees on the pattern of Haryana government. He also asked the Principal Secretary Education to fill all the vacant posts for blind persons under the categories of Art & Craft teachers and Classical & Vocational teachers forthwith without any further delay. Conceding another demand to ensure timely promotion of the blind government employees in the light of the direction of Punjab & Haryana High Court, the Chief Minister asked the Personnel department to ensure strict implementation of the guidelines for the promotion of such persons in the right earnest. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also gave nod to convert the posts reserved for blind persons on which they were unable to perform their duties to facilitate them to give such work which they could perform with much ease and comfort.
Acceding to another demand to grant facilities to the blind sportspersons who have brought laurels in Para-Olympics and other international sports events at par with those who have won medals in the Olympics, Common Wealth and Asian Games, the Chief Minister asked the sports department to send a detailed and comparative proposal to his office within a week so that this disparity could be removed for once and all.The Chief Minister also asked the Principal Secretary to fill 11 vacant posts of teachers in the Government School for Blind in Jamalpur (Ludhiana) to ensure proper functioning of the School on one hand besides imparting the best educational facilities to the visually impaired pupils studying there.
On an emotional note, the Chief Minister said, ‘He could never deny any incentive or favour asked for and they are ever welcome to bother him for the redressal of their grievances’.
Meanwhile, the delegation thanked the Chief Minister for showing benevolence and special concern to their problems and assured him that they would strive hard to contribute for the development and prosperity of the state in their own humble way. Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Health & Social Security Minister Mr. Surjit Kumar Jyani, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. S.K. Sandhu, Principal Secretary Education Mr. C. Roul, Secretary Expenditure-cum-Social Security Mr. Jaspal Singh and Director Social Security Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh.