On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Maharashtra government on December 3 inaugurated the Ministry for Divyang (differently abled) in Mumbai.
Key points
- With this, Maharashtra has become the first State to have an independent Ministry for disabled persons.
- The department was inaugurated by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
- The Ministry aims to cater to people with special physical and mental needs educationally and professionally.
- The Ministry will ensure the welfare of the persons with disabilities and effective implementation of various government schemes for them.
- The Ministry will operate out of an old building in Mumbai University campus next to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and a Minister will be appointed in the upcoming winter session of the Assembly.
- In Maharashtra, there are close to 2.5 crore disabled people, it is high time that there should be a separate Ministry for them.
- The Ministry aims to help them with education, jobs, scholarships, health, employment, travel facilities and rehabilitation.
