Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD/CN)

Udupi, Sep 24: K P Rajanna, state welfare officer for the physically handicapped, urged the district level officers to convene with physically handicapped students at least once in two months to address their grievances.

He was speaking at the review meeting of 3 percent financial assistance  with the district officers at deputy commissioner’s office here on Friday September 23.

“The state laws empower 3 percent reservation in A and B division of government employment and 5 percent reservation in C and D.  It’s also essential to lay more emphasis on the physically handicapped in higher and technical education.

 Several complaints have been lodged with the physically handicapped welfare offices from across the state, wherein the colleges had denied them employment.  Such persons had to be supported by gainful employment. 

The certificate issued by the medical board is not necessary if the physical disability is visible and the local medical officers of primary health centers can issue certificates in this regard.  Meanwhile, the medical officers are required to go to the houses of physically handicapped people as they are incapable of going to health centers,” advised Rajanna.

He also urged the women and child welfare officers to lay more emphasis on identifying women with physical disability, especially in rural villages, in order to avail state benefits.

DC Dr Reju, ZP chief executive officer Prabhakar Sharma, additional DC Kumar, women and child welfare department deputy director R Sesappa, CDPO Sadanand, district physical handicapped officer M Niranjan Bhat, and district level officers were present on the occasion.