LUCKNOW: If the proposal comes to action, 6821 of the two crore physically challenged people in Uttar Pradesh may receive a loan waiver worth Rs. 3.88 crore.
The state's minister for welfare of the handicapped, Om Prakash Rajbhar said,"So far, loans worth Rs 1.60 crore have been paid by them."
"Efforts are being made to link them with the Centre's National Skill Development Mission. The divyaangjan (differently abled) are also being encouraged to start cottage industries and gradually venture into the MSME (Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises) sector," Rajbhar said.
He also said capital assistance for disabled people to start businesses could be raised from the existing Rs 30,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
"There is a proposal to give divyangjan battery-operated tricycles with a trolley attached. The rider can use it to sell vegetables or other items. Women will be provided with sewing machines," the minister said.
Apart from raising the pension amount from Rs. 300 to Rs. 500, the state government has also raised the marriage fund for the disabled from Rs 20000 to Rs 50000. "Officials also have now been authorised to issue income certificates to the divyaangjans," he said.
Earlier, the divyaangjans were forced to make repeated rounds of tehsil offices to get income certificates. Ration card and proof of residence as documentary proof have been done away with and replaced by Aadhaar, the minister said.
Rajbhar said, "Till now the divyaangjans were entitled to free travel on UPSRTC (Uttar Pradesh State Roadways Transport Corporation) buses within the state only.
Now, they will be entitled to travel free of cost on UPSRTC buses even beyond the geographical boundaries of UP in the entire country."
The department has distributed at least 70,000 equipment to the divyaangjans.