PUDUCHERRY : Puducherry government has issued a notification that the administration will be reserving three per cent of government jobs for the differently-abled according to Chief Minister V Narayanasamy.
Around 400 posts in 22 departments will be reserved for the differently-abled, he said while addressing a forum to mark the International Day for Differently-abled persons, organized by the Department of Social Welfare on Wednesday.
A committee will be constituted under the Welfare minister, M Kandasamy, to redress grievances of the differently-abled by discussing issues with them once in three months, said the Chief Minister, adding that their genuine demands are being considered by the government. The Congress-DMK government has taken this decision in consultation with the Welfare minister M Kandasamy.
Puducherry Union Territory has a population of 30,189 differently-abled persons of which 20,952 are availing the benefits of welfare schemes from the government. A sum of `71.42 crore has been allocated to the Social Welfare department out of which `56.99 crore is being utilized for the benefit of the differently-abled.
The CM said that a monthly assistance based on the extent of their disability is being provided to them besides funeral assistance, educational assistance, tricycles and marriage assistance among others are being provided to them. Special medical facilities are also available for the differently-abled in government hospitals, he added. The CM also assured the differently-abled persons that all their demands will be met in a phased manner.
Congratulating Narayanasamy for issuing the notification within six months of taking over the reins, Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi faulted the previous government (AINRC government led by N Rangasamy) for the 10-year delay in doing so and regretted the fact that many differently-abled have been denied government jobs because of the delay.
Inaugurating the celebrations, Bedi advised everyone to study well and educate oneself so that they are better prepared to get employment in the government. Not only that they would have to serve well and hence develop their skills , she said and added that just as the differently-abled had expectations of being served by the government, they too would be expected to serve.
However she alerted the young differently-abled that everyone will not be able to obtain employment in the government and advised them to develop skills to become self reliant.
“Don’t depend on just government jobs. You can learn skills to be Self Employed,” she said. Stating that there are many Government of India schemes, she said that they should strive to become self-reliant. She also advised them to take advantage of the mega-skill development progamme initiated by the government.