Srinagar, Oct 31: The Social Welfare Minister, Sakina Itoo today said the Jammu and Kashmir Government would take up the issue about enhancement of pension for physically challenged with the Centre.
 “The physically challenged are getting Rs 400 per month, which needs to be enhanced. The matter will be taken up with the Centre,” Sakina said while addressing “Ang Dan” camp organized by Border Roads Organization Wives Welfare Association in collaboration with Akhal Bharati Marwadi Yuwa Munch, here on Sunday.
 Underscoring the need for organizing such camps in remote areas of J&K to bring more physically challenged under this programme, Social Welfare Minister, Sakina said large number of people had become physically handicapped during the last 20 years.
 She said the Government was making all efforts to improve the standard of weaker sections, including persons in distress and physically challenged providing monthly pension to sustain their lives.
 She said there was a need to conduct a thorough survey so that exact number of physically challenged persons is ascertained. She said persons having 40 per cent physical defects are eligible for monthly pension. She said under newly launched scheme, Indra Gandhi National Disable Pension Scheme, the criteria has been fixed to 80 percent physical defects, which need to be relaxed to 40 per cent so that maximum deserving persons can be brought under the purview of this scheme.
 Mr. Agerwal, while speaking on the occasion, said that the aim of the organization is to provide free artificial limbs to the needy. He said organization has planned to provide artificial limbs to 106 persons. He said Munch has 628 branches in 18 states and have provided artificial limbs to 4 lac persons so far. Major General 15 Cops, Suresh Khajuria, Brig T P S Rawat, Chief Engineer, Project Beacon, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Me’raj Ahmad Kakroo, President, BROWWA, Sarita Rawat, Convenor, Akhal Bharati Marwadi Yuwa Munch,   Raman Agerwal were also present.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 31 Oct 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 31 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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