The Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Pratima Bhowmik, inaugurated the services of the Composite Regional Centres (CRC) for Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities virtually in Shillong.
The event was organised at U Soso Tham Auditorium in Shillong, Meghalaya. The programme was also attended by Kirman Shiella, Minister for Social Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, M Amparen Lyngdoh, MLA, East Shillong, Meghalaya and senior officials of union and state governments.
Addressing the inaugural function, Pratima Bhowmik said that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is implementing various welfare schemes for Divyangjan in the country. He clarified that the newly established CRC will provide essential services for the Divyangjan and help in developing human resources in Meghalaya. Expressing its gratitude to the Government of Meghalaya, which has provided 10 acres of land at Umsawli in the East Khasi Hills district for setting up the permanent structure of CRC. He said that the foundation stone of the said structure would be laid at the earliest. Apart from organizing skill development training for the differently-abled, the CRC will cater to rehabilitation services for different categories of persons with disabilities and enable them to lead an independent life in the society
Kyrmen Shylla, Minister for Department of Social Welfare, Govt. of Meghalaya, while addressing the programme thanked the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt of India for establishing CRC in Meghalaya, which he believes will serve to fulfil the needs of the PwDs in the State. He expressed his hope that the newly inaugurated CRC will cater to the rehabilitation services for 21 categories of PwDs besides conducting skill development training for the Divyangjan. Referring to the commitment of the Government of Meghalaya for the welfare of Divyangjan, Shri Shylla said that his government has been taking several initiatives like organizing camps for distributing assistive aids and appliances, Universal ID Cards for Divyangjan, which will be valid all over the country. He also mentioned the Accessible India Campaign, which is also in progress nationwide to provide universal accessibility to persons with disabilities. Financial assistance and scholarships are also provided to the Divyangjan students to pursue their education without any hazard, he added. The Minister further assured that his government will continue to support CRC Shillong to live up to its full potential.