Nagpur Distt tops Maharashtra in UDID identity cards’ distribution
| Date :12-Aug-2022 |
Staff Reporter
A sustained campaign under aegis of District Disability Rehabilitation Centre led to Nagpur District emerging numero uno in Maharashtra for providing UDID identity card to maximum number of disabled persons.
So far, 9,186 such cards have been delivered to the beneficiaries. The target is to distribute 10,000 cards to needy by August 15. The district officials are hopeful of achieving the target.
After the amendment by Central Government, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act, 2016 now has a mention of 21 types of disabilities. Several schemes for welfare of the PwDs are also launched for which UDID card was made mandatory.
In fact, Nagpur District is the only district in the State to ensure home delivery of UDID cards to save upon troubles of the PwDs. The UDID card would enable the PwDs to take benefit of various schemes meant for their welfare.
Earlier, the disabled persons residing in villages had to trudge to Mayo Hospital that was nominated centre for their assessment.
Nearly four visits were needed to completed the formalities and gets the UDID card. To ensure that hassles of such citizens are minimised, tehsil-wise programmes are chalked out. DDRC has been tasked with its execution.
Abhijit Raut, District Rehabilitation Officer, said that the major task was handled by officials of Health Department. Teams in the field reached out to citizens and informed them about the proposed dates of holding the medical assessment camp either at Rural Hospital or nearest Primary Health Centre.
Team of doctors and nursing staff from Mayo Hospital was formed and was taken to each of the tehsils where the PwDs were assessed for degree of disability. The camps were held from March 14, 2021 to December 31, 2021. In the second phase, form March to April 2022, under the shadow of Covid-19, stated a press release issued by Dr Kamalkishor Futane, Additional CEO, Zilla Parishad. Throughout the campaign, District Collector R Vimala and Zilla Parishad’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Yogesh Kumbhejkar were constantly supervising and resolving the difficulties that arose at certain points. The two IAS officers constantly motivated the field team and this ensured that Nagpur District topped in assessment and issuance of UDID cards to disabled persons, added Raut.
At the outset, after identifying the disabled person, his complete details have to be keyed in Swavalamban portal. After that the disabled person was given date to attend the medical check-up camp where doctors assessed the disability and categorised it. Again the data was added to Swavalamban portal to complete the formalities.
So far, 9,186 UDID cards have been distributed and reached the beneficiaries.
According to Dr Futane, with UDID card the disabled persons can get benefit of securing necessary appliances under Central Government scheme, employment and self-employment opportunities, incentive schemes, special facilities during the voting, concession in exams, disabled sportsperson can get scholarship and assistance, concession to parents of disabled children in taxes, disabled persons afflicted with hemophilia and thalassemia, sickle cell diseases can get medicine and blood on priority, etc.
Further under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Nagpur Zilla Parishad office-bearers, including President Rashmi Barwe, Vice-President Sumitra Kumbhare, Chairperson, Social Welfare Committee, Nemavali Mate earmarked funds for holding UDID camps from Divyang Welfare Fund.
Social Welfare Officer Kishor Bhoyar, Dean, IGGMC, Civil Surgeon, District Health Officer, District Education and Training Centre, Principal, Education Officer, and others worked hard for success of the camps.