Project Samarth to the aid of differently-abled

BHUBANESWAR: Project Samarth, a special drive to identify the differently-abled persons and provide them with necessary assistance will be launched by the government.A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik decided to organise block-level Samarth camps for differently-abled persons from October. To be called Bhima Bhoi Samarth  Abhijan, beneficiaries will be provided disabled certificate, pension papers, bank passbook and special aid at the camp. Arrangements will be made at the camp for corrective surgery and medical services for the beneficiaries below 16 years. For those unable to attend the camps, government officials will visit their home to extend necessary assistance. According to a Government estimate, there are 10 lakh people in the State who are physically challenged. It has been targeted to provide Government assistance to at least four lakh people this year. For students, two pairs of uniforms will be provided to those attending special schools and special industrial training institutes (ITI) for the physically challenged. Ten new trades will be opened for them in two ITIs in KBK districts to begin with. It was also decided to construct a separate hostel for differently-abled working women in the city. A monthly scholarship of ` 350 for college students whose father or mother are physically challenged has been announced. A high-level committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary BK Patnaik will be constituted to monitor the programme. Women and Child Welfare Minister Anjali Behera, Development Commissioner RN Senapati and secretaries of different departments were present.