In celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024, the Department of Social Security, Women, and Child Development, Punjab, organized a state-level event today at Nehru Stadium in which Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur participated as the chief guest and others dignitaries present on the occasion were Faridkot MLA Gurdit Singh Sekhon, Director Shena Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner Vinit Kumar and SSP Dr. Pragya Jain.
Addressing the persons with disabilities from across the state, Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that the Punjab Government is fully committed to the progress and all-around development of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable sections. She highlighted that the Government is not only creating employment opportunities but also ensuring the implementation of reservation quotas in both government and private institutions.
She announced that the appointment of mates under MGNREGA would also be done according to the reserved quota for persons with disabilities. Dr. Baljit Kaur mentioned that special employment camps are being organized to provide job opportunities for persons with disabilities. Companies have been invited to participate so that qualified candidates can secure employment based on their merit.
She remarked, “No human is perfect in this world. Everyone has their shortcomings. The government aims to integrate persons with disabilities into the mainstream and provide them with ample opportunities for employment. The Punjab Government is dedicated to boosting the morale of all sections of society.”
She further added that the government is committed to promoting the holistic development of persons with disabilities through various initiatives. Soon, a notification regarding free travel facilities for visually impaired persons will be issued. Subsidies of 50% on bus fares for persons with disabilities on Punjab Roadways and PRTC buses have already benefited over 7.5 lakh individuals at a cost of ₹2.19 crore in 2023-24.
During the current fiscal year 2024-25, ₹278.17 crore has been provided as financial aid under the State Pension Scheme to 265,694 persons with disabilities. Scholarships worth ₹3.37 crore have also been granted to 12,607 disabled students to encourage education. The Cabinet Minister explained that outstanding employees, employers, athletes and institutions working for the welfare of persons with disabilities were honored at the state-level event.
Each awardee was given ₹10,000 and a certificate by the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann. She also highlighted the Sponsorship Scheme under which families of persons with disabilities receive a monthly stipend of ₹4,000 per school-going child to combat child labour and violence.
MLA Gurdit Singh Sekhon expressed gratitude to the Punjab Government for organizing the state-level event in Faridkot on International Day of Persons with Disabilities. He acknowledged the immense talent of differently-abled children and their remarkable performances at the event. He urged everyone to respect persons with disabilities and pledged to work for their progress and development.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Vinit Kumar welcomed the chief guest and other dignitaries, emphasizing the importance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. He assured that the district administration of Faridkot would ensure respect, dignity and progress for persons with disabilities across all relevant departments and institutions. The event featured cultural performances by persons with disabilities from various parts of the state. The program was coordinated by Jasbir Jassi.
Other notable attendees included former MP Prof. Sadhu Singh, Chief Judicial Magistrate Gurpreet Kaur, Deputy Director of Social Security Department Amarjeet Singh Bhullar, Civil Surgeon Dr. Chander Shekhar, SDM Varun Kumar, Planning Board Chairman Sukhjeet Singh Dhillon and several other prominent personalities.