IMPHAL, November 25: Social Welfare Minister Ak Mirabai today promised to give her best effort for the differently-abled persons and assured that their food allowances will be increased up to Rs 750 per month from 2014.
It was stated today at the occasion of Badhte Kadam 5, a mega discoverability awareness raising national campaign for persons with disabilities and initiative of national trust for the welfare of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, government of India under the theme for this year “Alone We May Together We Can. Let Us Join Hands Towards a Better and Inclusive Society”.
The ceremony was held at Gandhi Memorial Hall organized by Spastic Society in association with the Department of Social Welfare. The main objective of the ceremony is to felicitate and honor 32 disabled persons who are role models and achievers in the field of sports, music, dance, arts, handicrafts and education.
Further, Ak Mirabai reminded them that they still enjoy three per cent job reservation.
She appealed to the general public to provide encouragement to the differently-abled persons who are no different from normal persons, so that they can proceed to lead happy lives.
Deputy Commissioner, K Radhakumar Singh and Joint Secretary, department of social welfare H Rupachandra Singh also highlighted the need for encouraging differently-abled persons instead of discriminating against them.
In a press release distributed during the programme, the organisers stated that the purpose of the campaign is to increase understanding of the issues faced by people with disabilities in our community and to strengthen the Disabled People Organizations movements in the state by bringing them into the limelight.