CM Sai Sets Target for 100% Skill Empowerment of Divyangjans: Directs Immediate Resolution of Pension Cases

Raipur, July 23

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai today said that the goals of Viksit Bharat@2047 can only be achieved when every section of society, especially Divyangjans (persons with disabilities), is fully empowered. Chairing a high-level review meeting of the Social Welfare Department at Mahanadi Bhavan, the Chief Minister emphasized that it is the need of the hour to ensure that all Divyangjans are skill-trained and self-reliant. He instructed officials to prepare a clear action plan and ensure its swift implementation.

During the meeting, CM Sai issued directives for the immediate resolution of pending pension cases related to the elderly and Divyang beneficiaries. He said the process should be treated with utmost priority and carried out in the spirit of public service, so that eligible beneficiaries receive their rightful support on time. The Chief Minister made it clear that negligence in the welfare of the elderly, Divyangs, and destitute citizens will not be tolerated at any level.

He further stated that old-age homes, grant-in-aid institutions for disabled children, and rehabilitation centers must be streamlined and strengthened. Divyangjans should be skill-trained as per their interests and capabilities under the Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme and provided training in various trades. This, he said, would enable them to take up self-employment opportunities and become active contributors to society.

Social Welfare Minister Lakshmi Rajwade, also present in the meeting, said that destitute, homeless, nomadic individuals—including Divyangs, women, and children—found in public spaces should be swiftly rehabilitated through proper institutional arrangements. She added that physical verification of all pension cases must be carried out, and benefits should be extended on a priority basis to all eligible beneficiaries. She also stressed the need for extensive promotion of the department’s helpline number to ensure that more people can access government assistance.

CM Sai also directed officials to expedite the registration of members of the transgender community and ensure they are covered under schemes like ration cards, Ayushman Bharat, and other welfare programs. He called for organizing special camps for Divyangjans to facilitate UDID (Unique Disability ID) registration and medical board-issued disability certification.

The Chief Minister stressed that all needy individuals—be it children, women, youth, or the elderly—who require prosthetic limbs, crutches, hearing aids, tricycles, or physiotherapy support, must be provided with these assistive devices immediately. “No deserving person should be left without support—this is our government’s commitment,” he said.

The review also covered progress under several flagship schemes including the Prosthetic & Assistive Devices Distribution Scheme, Samarthya Development Program, Divyang Marriage Incentive Scheme, and the National Rehabilitation Program for Persons with Disabilities. Officials presented the latest implementation reports and discussed future roadmaps.

Officials informed the CM that within the past year, 137 special health camps were organized across the state for Divyangjans. These camps screened a total of 7,669 individuals, out of which 6,671 were provided with prosthetic limbs and other assistive devices—significantly boosting their mobility, independence, and confidence.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary to CM Subodh Singh, Secretaries to CM P. Dayanand and Rahul Bhagat, Secretary of Social Welfare Bhuvnesh Yadav, Director Roktima Yadav, and other senior officials from the Social Welfare Department.