Newmai News Network Imphal | December 3 Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh launched ‘Chief Minister-gi Shotharabasingi Tengbang’ (CMST), a scheme for the differently abled persons, today during the observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities at Indoor Stadium, Khuman Lampak, Imphal. Launching the scheme, N Biren Singh said that people centric, responsive and responsible governance is the hallmark of the new government. The new BJP-led government, he said, is committed to deliver human service to the people of the State and there is no such religion which is higher or above humanity or human service. The government is committed to work for the welfare of the people and would work with the aspirations of the people to deliver good governance and development in the State, he asserted. Biren Singh also stated that the new government is trying to reduce the hill-valley gap to bring emotional integration in the State. “It is easy to break the State or region into pieces with few words or agitation but it is difficult to integrate and unite the people,” he added. Stating that the idea of disintegration is a past perspective, the Chief Minister urged the people of the State to support the present government to bring integration in Manipur. “The government doesn’t incline or belong to a particular section of society or community and doesn’t discriminate any community living in the State,” he assured. Meanwhile, Biren Singh said that persons with disabilities encounter many disadvantages in society and they are often subjected to stigma and discrimination and have limited access to proper healthcare services, quality education, face fewer economic opportunities and are generally excluded from social processes. He stressed that “Chief Minister-gi Shotharabasingi Tengbang” is reflective of the firm commitment of his government to empower the persons with disabilities and the marginalised. Such scheme would facilitate their vital and meaningful participation in contributing towards the creation of socio-economic wealth and overall welfare of the State, he added. About parents who are living in the old-age homes, the Chief Minister said a certain amount as maintenance fund would be deducted from the Government employee who discriminate, give ill treatment to their parents and do not allow their parents to live at their homes. He assured that the government is planning to introduce new schemes/initiatives for the children living in orphanage homes soon. The Chief Minister appealed to the officials of the Social Welfare Department to work towards rendering human service and give priority to the persons with disabilities and aged persons. Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar said the primary objective of “CM gi Sotharabasingi Tengbang” is to provide quality of life to the persons with disabilities and to bring inclusive development in the State. He hoped that such scheme would be adopted and initiated in other States too. Without the love and support of the people, the government alone will not be able to execute such huge task of providing better care to the persons with disabilities in the State, he added. He further said that collective effort is needed for successful implementation of the scheme. Stating that India has one of the more progressive disability policy frameworks in the entire developing world, Minister for Social Welfare and Co-operation Nemcha Kipgen mentioned that there are certain challenges such as lack of awareness, challenges of inter-sectorial co-ordination etc. in proper implementing various social welfare schemes in the State. She assured that the present government under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh would overcome the challenges and hurdles in implementing policies for all the categories of differently-able and intellectually disabled people so that they can become part and partial of the society. The “CM gi Sotharabasingi Tengbang” scheme has been designed with five sub-schemes. Scheme includes Care-Giver allowances/Maintenance Grant of Rs. 1,500/- per month to persons with disabilities having a disability of 80% or more. The beneficiaries will also be covered under “Swavlamban Health Insurance Scheme for PwD”, where the State Government will provide the mandatory beneficiary contribution of Rs. 366 per annum, which will provide a health insurance cover of Rs. 2 lakhs to four members of a family and OPD charges. The persons with disabilities in the age group of 19-59 yrs who can work would be provided with soft loans to take up economically viable employment opportunities and self-employment through Manipur Society for Skill Development (MSSD). "Chief Minister gi Sotharabasinggi Tengbang" scheme includes a Scholarship scheme to students with disabilities. The rates of scholarships are: Rs 3,000 per annum for Class I-V; Rs 4,000 per annum for Class VI-VIII; Rs 6000 per annum for Class IX-XII; Rs 8000 per annum for graduate and above. Under the scheme, a free travel and concession to persons with disabilities are being given to them for free travelling in public transport under Manipur State Transport (MST). The Scheme also includes a maintenance grant for homeless older persons with monetary support of Rs. 1,000 per month.
