IMPHAL: Having reviewed various schemes that are currently being implemented by his ministry in Manipur, Union social justice and empowerment minister Mukul Wasnik emphasized the need to intensify them. Wasnik, who along with some central government officials, arrived here on Friday morning for a two-day visit to the state, said he has identified certain weak areas in the implementation of the schemes.
On the sidelines of a meeting with PCC leaders at Congress Bhavan in the heart of Imphal, the Union minister told reporters that steps should be taken to address the loopholes.
Straight after landing at Imphal airport in the morning around 11.30, Wasnik held a review meeting with concerned officials, including those from the state social welfare department, at a hotel here. The meeting dwelt at length with the schemes, relating to differently-abled persons, senior citizens and drug abuse in the state. Before wrapping up his visit, the minister will hold a meeting with NGO leaders who are working under the schemes of the ministry.
Wasnik learnt there is a lack of coordination between the social welfare department and the agencies implementing such schemes. Lack of capacity-building measures like holding awareness programmes at the grassroots level to strengthen the schemes was also pointed out in the meeting.
The Union minister's visit came in the wake of a threat from the All Tribal Disables' Union, Manipur (Atdum) to launch a stir if the state government fails to comply with its various demands, including issuance of disability certificates.
Atdum alleged the state government and the medical board have failed to address the plight of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in obtaining disability certificates. A large number of disabled persons living in remote areas cannot obtain disability certificates as they are required to visit Imphal to get them, which is difficult for them, Atdum said.
Since they do not possess disability certificates, they do not get benefits like jobs, financial assistance, unemployment allowance and scholarships. Also, the 3% job positions reserved for PWDs in government departments are already occupied and there is a need for more jobs for them.
Recently, the first state-level games for PWDs was held at Khuman Lampak, with over 270 athletes competing in various events - athletes, aquatics, football, boochi, softball and badminton.