NEW DELHI:
In a significant stride towards enhancing the lives of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), the Social Welfare Department, in collaboration with ALIMCO, successfully organized the registration camp for the distribution of artificial and assistive devices. This event marked the initiation of the ‘Sugamya Sahayak Yojana’ at the West District Office of the Social Welfare Department.
The ‘Sugamya Sahayak Yojana’, recently launched by the Delhi Government, aims to streamline the assessment and distribution of aids and appliances for PwBDs. These include artificial limbs, tricycles, motorized tricycles, wheelchairs, BTE hearing aids, crutch axilla adjustable, braille cane, braille kits, smartphones for visually impaired individuals, smart canes, and ADL kits for leprosy patients.
The camp, inaugurated by Delhi’s Social Welfare Minister Shri Raaj Kumar Anand, witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Area MLA Shri Jarnail Singh, Patel Nagar Ex-MLA Veena Anand, and Secretary Social Welfare, Dr. Priyanka Alimco. Hundreds of individuals attended the camp, undergoing expert assessments to determine their specific assistive device needs.
The Delhi Social Welfare Minister praised the Social Welfare Department’s commitment to this noble cause, emphasizing the scheme’s goal to minimize obstacles faced by PwBDs in acquiring necessary assistive devices. The ‘Sugamya Sahayak Yojana’ aims to simplify the process, ensuring beneficiaries receive aid with minimal hurdles and by a smoother process.
According to Section 2(r) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, a “person with benchmark disability” means a person with not less than 40 per cent of a specified disability, as certified by the certifying authority.
During this, Shri Raaj Kumar Anand stated, “Sugamya Sahayak Yojana is the brainchild of the Social Welfare Department and is close to my heart. It will help in minimizing the hurdles and problems faced by Persons with Disabilities to get the assistive devices in a timely manner and with proper guidance.”
Looking ahead, the department plans to extend the scheme’s reach by implementing it at hospital premises where individuals obtain their disability certificates. This strategic move aims to facilitate a seamless process, allowing beneficiaries to receive the required devices at the time of certification. The Social Welfare Department plans to organize similar camps in each district to maximize the benefits to individuals with disabilities.
“The ‘Sugamaya Sahayak Yojana’ reflects the Kejriwal Government’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, striving to create a more equitable society for all citizens,” the Social Welfare Minister stated.
