A day after announcing free bicycles for all Class-X BPL students, the State Government on Wednesday decided to reserve three per cent jobs in all contractual and outsourced appointments for the physically challenged.
A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Secretariat here. Naveen asked the officials to implement the reservation decision on a mission mode.
Official sources said work opportunities for disabled persons have been identified under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
The Government has already started welfare schemes for the benefit of the physically challenged. Persons having more than 75 per cent disability are being provided 10 kg rice a month at ` 2 per kg. Over 70,000 are currently benefitting from the scheme.
The district collectors have been appointed as the deputy commissioner for disability to hear their grievances. The first phase of the Bhima Bhoi Samartha Abhijan camp has been completed and orders have been placed for equipment and aides for the disabled from the ALIMCO. The second phase of the camp will be started soon.
Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister AP Padhi and Secretary, Women and Child Development Department, Arati Ahuja were present.