6.5 lakh differently abled at receiving end of Punjab Govt ‘apathy’

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 14

Though the Cabinet has already approved the “Punjab Divyangjan Sashaktikaran Yojana (PDSY)” across the state in January this year, a majority of the government departments are not even aware of the scheme so far.

The scheme is meant to empower the differently abled persons in the state and the Cabinet has already allocated Rs 35 crore towards it for the financial year 2021.

Due to the lack of awareness among different stakeholders of the scheme, around 6.5 lakh persons with disabilities in the state are being deprived of various benefits.

DEPTS INFORMED

We've already informed departments about the scheme. Besides, we'll soon have a meeting wherein the communication gap, if any, will be filled. — Raji P Shirvastva, Principal secy, Department of social security

The alleged government apathy towards persons with disabilities came to the fore when a specially abled Patiala resident requested the Health Department to provide due benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana because the perks of the existing plan had already been extended to the registered people under the new scheme. However, the Health Department feigned ignorance about the same.

The government had allowed free travel of one attendant with blind persons in the state transport buses under the new scheme, but the department replied there was no such provision.