Matribhumi Samachar English
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, inaugurated the ‘Samajik Adhikarita Shivir’ at Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, today. In addition, Dr. Virendra Kumar virtually launched camps being organized at various aspirational blocks across the country. This initiative marks a significant step towards empowering Divyangjans (persons with disabilities), under the ADIP (Assistance to Disabled Persons) scheme.
In his address, the Union Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to educational empowerment, highlighting that 2.68 lakh Divyang students have been awarded scholarships amounting to ₹871.79 crores under the scholarship scheme. These funds are directly transferred to the bank accounts of beneficiaries. Specifically in Uttar Pradesh, 49,717 Divyang students received scholarships totaling ₹219.57 crores. Dr. Kumar also mentioned the government’s Cochlear Implant Scheme, which provides up to ₹6 lakhs for children aged 5-6 years born with hearing impairments. Additionally, the Minister administered a cleanliness pledge to all attendees as part of the ongoing Swachhta Pakhwada (Cleanliness Fortnight).
The highlight of the event was that the camp in Bulandshahr served as the central hub and was digitally connected to 75 other distribution camps across India, with a primary focus on aspirational blocks. These camps were organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, in collaboration with ALIMCO (Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India). The objective of these 75 camps is to empower and make Divyangjan self-reliant by providing over 9,000 pre-identified beneficiaries with free assistive devices under the ADIP scheme. This event symbolizes the government’s steadfast commitment to the empowerment of Divyangjan, continuously working towards enhancing their lives through various initiatives.
Under the ADIP scheme, a total of 429 beneficiaries in Bulandshahr have been identified, and free distribution of 733 assistive devices worth approximately ₹1.04 crores is being carried out. The assistive devices distributed under the ADIP scheme include 168 motorized tricycles, 141 manual tricycles, 60 folding wheelchairs, 218 crutches, 32 walking sticks, along with Braille kits, etc behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, CP chairs, accessible canes, artificial limbs, and calipers.
Other dignitaries present at the Bulandshahr event included Shri Arun Kumar Saxena, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Uttar Pradesh; Dr. Bhola Singh, MP, Bulandshahr; Dr. Antul Tewatia, District Panchayat Chairman, Bulandshahr; and other distinguished guests and local legislators.
