GUWAHATI: Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria took briefing of the activities of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment in the presence of the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Pijush Hazarika, in the conference hall of Raj Bhavan on Wednesday. During the meeting, Minister Pijush Hazarika provided the Governor with an overview of the department's activities in the state. He also outlined the department's initiatives aimed at helping people. He also informed the governor that the department was formed only a year ago and is still working to meet the hopes and aspirations of the people. Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Biswajit Pegu, gave a detailed presentation encompassing the activities and achievements of all the schemes of the department.
He said that the department plays a key role in implementing various schemes for specially abled persons, senior citizens, the transgender community, victims of the abuse of narcotics and psychotropic substances, and other related issues of the state. The Minister also highlighted the vision of the directorate during Amrit Kaal, which is to provide disability certificates and UDID cards to every person with a disability. He also said that the directorate would also set up seven skill development centres for persons with disabilities for their uplift. The directorate would also set up shelter homes for people with disabilities in every district of the state for care and protection. The Minister also apprised the Governor of the steps that the directorate is initiating to create a barrier-free environment for especially abled people in all public spheres. The Governor has also been informed that the directorate is setting up a regional sign language training centre in the state, along with a drug de-addiction -cum-Rehabilitation centre in every district and a skill development centre for the transgender community.
Underscoring the issues concerning senior citizens, the governor suggested that a daycare for elderly people may be opened. He also said that the experiences and services of the elderly can be used for different purposes. He also said that educational institutes can also provide services to the elderly.
In order to boost the confidence of the specially abled children, the governor advised that a workshop should be conducted to increase their skill development. While hailing the department for its welfare measures, the governor also expressed his willingness that during his district tours he would love to visit Adarsh gram, rehabilitation centres, and old age homes.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor, SS Meenakshi Sundaram; Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, K.J. Hilaly; Director, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Kishore Thakuria; and senior officers from the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Raj Bhavan, stated a press release.
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