Government to introduce special identity cards for differently-abled people

Revealing that the Centre was planning to introduce special identity cards for all persons with disabilities in the country, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot has said that it would enable them to claim the benefits of various government welfare schemes.

Gehlot also announced a financial aid of Rs 19 crores for completing the project. He congratulated the Kerala Government for preparing an authentic data bank of differently-abled citizens in the state.

"The upcoming Accessible India Campaign - Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan - would strive to promote the concept of universal accessibility for all, especially for persons with disabilities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the project on December 3 and districts including Kozhikode would get special funds from the government to facilitate the implementation of the project," he said.

Explaining the steps taken by the Centre for the welfare of the differently-abled, Gehlot said the government has extended pre-matric and post-matric scholarships to all eligible students.

"The Union Government has also requested state governments to come up with proposals for the welfare and rehabilitation of the differently-abled," he added.