Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today reiterated his unwavering commitment to the empowerment and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities (Divyangjan), declaring it his personal mission and a top priority of the administration.
He was addressing a gathering during the inauguration of a mass distribution drive of aids and appliances for Divyangjan in Jammu, organized by the Directorate of Social Welfare, Jammu.
The event was held under two centrally sponsored schemes — Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) and Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) — aimed at improving the lives of senior citizens with disabilities and empowering differently-abled individuals with assistive tools.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor lauded the noble initiative and said, “People with disabilities have special abilities and possess unique strengths and perspectives. I admire their resilience, empathy, and problem-solving skills. The administration is fully committed to ensuring equality, dignity, and equal opportunities for Divyangjan in every sphere of life.”
He emphasized the importance of promoting inclusion and leveraging modern technological solutions to address the evolving needs of the disabled community.
“Building a caring society is my long-standing dream, and the welfare and rehabilitation of Divyangjan is a cause close to my heart,” the LG remarked.
To further support social security, the Lieutenant Governor also initiated the disbursement of pension arrears worth ₹6.14 crore to 12,660 beneficiaries under the Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS). These arrears had been pending due to Aadhaar-related issues and the move aims to restore financial inclusion for the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities.
In a major boost to mental health rehabilitation, LG Sinha inaugurated a 50-bedded Half-Way Home at Lower Chowadi, Jammu, built at a cost of ₹4.39 crore under the Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS). The facility will serve individuals with treated mental illness who are transitioning from institutions to community life, offering them structured support and reintegration services.
He also announced that the Social Welfare Department is developing a dedicated mobile application to streamline the integration of eligible senior citizens into pension schemes. Additionally, he assured comprehensive support to Divyangjan for self-employment initiatives and directed officials to submit a proposal for establishing a special park dedicated to Divyangjan in Jammu.
Further expanding the care network for vulnerable groups, the Lieutenant Governor inaugurated the Parisha Child Care Institution for Girls at Mandi Gurglian, Samba, constructed at a cost of ₹3.03 crore. He appreciated the efforts of all stakeholders involved in creating a safe and nurturing environment for girl children in need.
Highlighting the scale of the distribution drive, it was informed that the Directorate of Social Welfare Jammu, in collaboration with ALIMCO (Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India), has conducted 112 assessment camps across all 10 districts of the Jammu Division. A total of 5,918 beneficiaries — including 2,939 Divyangjan under the ADIP scheme and 2,756 senior citizens under the RVY scheme — have been identified to receive over 19,960 aids and appliances.
Prominent attendees at the event included Members of the Legislative Assembly — Shri Sham Lal Sharma, Shri Arvind Gupta, Shri Gharu Ram, Shri Yudhvir Sethi, and Shri Surinder Kumar — along with Shri Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Shri Rupesh Kumar, Director Social Welfare Department Jammu; senior government officials, representatives of NGOs, and members of civil society.
The Lieutenant Governor concluded by reaffirming his administration’s resolve to remove all physical, digital, and social barriers, ensuring full inclusion and dignity for Divyangjan in Jammu and Kashmir.
