Date:04/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/04/stories/2008120452320300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

‘Decision to hike pension a bold step’

Staff Reporter

Kakinada: Zilla Parishad Chairman Ch. Venugopala Krishna said the government’s decision to increase the monthly pension for physically challenged people from Rs 200 to Rs 500 was a courageous one which reflected the Chief Minister’s concern for their plight. About 50,000 physically challenged people were receiving enhanced pension with effect from November and the benefit would be soon extended to 10,000 more.

Speaking at the World Disabled Day celebrations here on Wednesday, Mr. Venugopala Krishna said special medical camps were being organised every month to screen the disabled people and distribute certificates of percentage of their handicap. Similarly, bus and railway passes were being issued for their benefit. A special programme for the welfare of disabled would be launched soon, Mr. Venugopala Krishna said without dwelling into details.

Incentive

Collector Gopalakrishna Dwivedi said job vacancies in various departments were being filled with the disabled people subject to the prescribed eligibility criteria. Incentive for marrying disabled people was increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000, he said and added that proposals were sent to the government to construct a hostel with Rs 75 lakh at Sambamurthy Nagar.

Earlier, the ZP Chairman and Collector distributed tricycles to six disabled persons and prizes to winners of various competitions conducted recently.

Government General Hospital (Kakinada) Superintendent M.B.R. Sarma, Social Welfare Department joint director P.S.A. Prasad, SC Corporation executive director V. Mahipal and Kakinada Municipal Commissioner G.S.N. Murthy were among those present.