Changing the lives of the disabled with thoughtful Divyang Yojanas
Being disabled is not the end of the world. With a little support and encouragement, persons with disabilities can rise in their lives and contribute to society. The government must do its part.
Compassionate CM Fadnavis has always believed in the potential of differently-abled people. He has taken many initiatives at different times, during his first term as the CM and later as the Dy. CM, for education, employment, social justice, and other welfare for them. Notable among these initiatives are various types of concessions in education for differently-abled students from class 1 to 12, helping to establish a writer/reader bank for disabled students, setting up a rehabilitation center for disabled people, reserving 5% of the municipal budget for differently-abled people, helping to establish a special court to fast-track their problems, and developing policy to provide financial assistance to them. However, his biggest decision for the welfare of disabled people was to create an independent department for the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Welfare Department during the Mahayuti government 1.0 in 2022, in line with the vision of the then CM Eknath Shinde. Further, initiating more disability schemes such as the differently-abled pension scheme, children’s drama competition, etc. Fadnavis has, besides providing financial aid to differently-abled people, encouraged them to participate in social and cultural programs. These decisions build a lot of confidence for the differently-abled people in Maharashtra to move towards self-reliance.
8
Jan 2016
Facilities for students with special needs (Divyang) in examinations from class 1 to 12
Students with special needs cannot be evaluated on the same basis as ordinary students. The methods of evaluating them in schools and colleges should differ from those of general students. With this in view, the Devendra Fadnavis government decided to provide special facilities (Divyang Yojanas) to students with disabilities in the class and board exams at primary and upper primary levels, and then, secondary and higher secondary levels, i.e. from 1st through 12th. Children with special needs (Divyang), include blind, deaf, physically challenged, multiple learning disabled, autistic, cerebral palsy, and mentally retarded children. The government decided to provide facilities to students in each of these categories as per their needs.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 8 Jan 2016
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15
Feb 2016
Providing writers for disabled students to write exams
A committee was formed to address the problems faced by students with special needs (Divyang) in pursuing education according to their needs. As per the recommendations of this committee, it was decided to provide writers for disabled students from classes 1 to 12. The facility of taking writers was provided to children belonging to the categories, such as partially or fully blind, physically challenged (incapable of writing by hand), multiple disabled, learning disabled, autistic (self-absorbed), cerebral palsy, and mentally retarded.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 15 Feb 2016
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20
Oct 2016
Typing test was made easier for candidates with more than 40 percent disability
The state government announced a relaxation in typing test selection criteria for disabled candidates with 40 – 60 percent permanent disability in their hands or fingers. The usual cutoff speed for general candidates, which is the number of words typed in 7 minutes, was relaxed for Divyang candidates to the same number of words in 10 minutes thus giving them 3 more minutes to type the minimum number of words.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 20 Oct 2016
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11
Jan 2017
Writer/Reader Bank for the convenience of Divyang students
The state government decided to create a pool of writers and readers who will assist the Divyang students in their study and exams. This will reduce the challenges faced by the Divyang students in continuing their studies and writing exams and encourage them to pursue higher education and avail job opportunities.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 11 Jan 2017
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4
Mar 2017
Concessions for disabled students pursuing higher education
Whether congenital, accidental, or due to some health challenges, disabled students should be encouraged more to pursue higher education, and for that, appropriate methods must be applied in study, teaching, and assessment for them along with financial assistance. For this, the state government created a Divyang scheme to provide concessions in examinations for Divyang students after 12th standard, to help with their higher education, as per the government decision of 8 January 2016. Accordingly, a government circular was issued on 4 March 2017 to provide concessions for higher education to 21 types of disabled students, such as partially blind, completely blind, leper, deaf, locomotor disability, stunted growth, intellectual disability (mental retardation), mentally ill, autistic (self-absorbed), cerebral palsy, muscular diseases, nervous system diseases, learning disabilities, multiple sclerosis (MS), speech and language disabilities, thalassemia, cancer, hemophilia, sickle cell, multiple disabilities, Parkinson’s disease, and acid attack.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 4 Mar 2017
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17
Oct 2017
Ensuring faster issuance of Disability Certificates to persons with disabilities
Disabled persons need to get their disability certificates soon to avail of various facilities from the government or private sector facilities. Issuing disability certificates to disabled persons was started on 3 December 2012 under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights, and Full Participation) Act, 1995. Before 2017, disability certificates were being issued to persons with disabilities through 54 hospitals in the state. However, due to the increasing number of Divyang persons in the state, it was found that certificate issuance to deserving persons was getting delayed. To help with this, the state government came up with a new Divyang yojana, which gave authority to the Municipal hospitals in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Pune, Nagpur, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, and Thane to issue disability certificates to the disabled within their jurisdiction. At the same time, K.E.M. Hospital and Sion Hospital, J.J. Hospital, Government Medical Hospital in Nagpur, Armed Forces Medical College in Pune, All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Mahalaxmi, run by the central government, the Ali Awar Jung Institute in Bandra, the National Institute of Deaf and Handicapped were given the authority to issue disability certificates to the differently-abled coming from all over the state.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 17 Oct 2017
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14
Nov 2017
The decision to reserve 3 percent of the Municipal budget for disabled people
Although there was a directive from the Center issued in 2010, as per the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, to reserve 3% of the Municipal budgets for the disabled people in their respective areas, it was never undertaken by the then state government. However, it was Devendra Fadnavis after becoming CM in 2014, who took the initiative to implement this according to a government decision dated 28 October 2015. A further meeting on this matter was held on 11 July 2017 under the chairmanship of the Urban Development Minister, after which the state government issued a government decision on 14 November 2017 to create a Divyan scheme regarding reserving at least 3 percent of the fund with spending guidelines for disabled persons by the municipal corporations and municipalities.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 14 Nov 2017
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14
Feb 2018
Special Courts for Persons with Disabilities
A Divyang Yojana to set up special courts in 11 districts of the state, for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and marginalized persons was decided in a meeting of the state cabinet to fastrack the cases filed by them. More than 1,000 cases of these persons, who are marginalized sections of society, were found pending. Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Ahmednagar, Nashik, Latur, Aurangabad, Parbhani,and Nagpur became the districts where these special courts were set up.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 14 Feb 2018
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2
May 2018
A new disability scheme to reserve 5 percent of the municipal budget for the disabled
With accord to the provisions of Section 37 (b) of the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act, 2016 of the Central Government, it has been decided to reserve at least 5 percent of the funds under the Poverty Alleviation Scheme for the disabled in the municipal corporations/municipal areas of the state. The state government issued a government decision in this regard on 2 May 2018.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 2 May 2018
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3
Oct 2018
More financial assistance to disabled persons
The financial assistance provided to disabled persons under the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana and Shravanbal Sewa State Pension Scheme was increased during the Fadnavis government. Earlier, persons with 40% – 79% disability would get a pension of Rs 600 p.m.. It was decided to increase the amount to Rs 800 per month in a state cabinet meeting. Also, the pension for persons with 80% or more disabilities was increased to Rs.1000.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 3 Oct 2018
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2
Jan 2019
Organizing Divyang Children's Drama Competition
To develop and encourage drama/theatre in Maharashtra, the state government organizes professional/amateur drama, children’s drama camps, and competitions. Through these competitions, many children were able to participate in theatre. Now the state government decided to organize such competitions also for Divyang children. Accordingly, it was decided to organize a separate children’s drama competition for Divyang children.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 2 Jan 2019
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20
Feb 2019
‘Maharashtra Divyang Policy 2018’ approved
The State Government issued a government decision on February 20, 2019, regarding the implementation of the Maharashtra State Divyang Policy, 2018 for Persons with Disabilities. This was in line with the Center’s notification dated 19 April 2017 to implement the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 in the state. The state’s policy provides information on the laws, rules and constitutional provisions related to persons with disabilities in the state, and how they will be implemented.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 20 Feb 2019
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4
Jul 2019
Use of the word 'Divyang' instead of the word 'Apang'
Earlier, disabled people were mentioned as ‘Apang’, ‘Nishaktajan’, ‘Vikyal’ etc. in the administrative affairs of the state for the disabled. Using such terms was banned by the central government through a notification under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016. Accordingly, it was decided that the word ‘Divyang’ would be used to refer to disabled people in all the administrative affairs of the state. In this regard, the state government announced a government decision on July 4, 2019.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 4 Jul 2019
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21
Dec 2020
Separate ration cards for the disabled
According to the National Food Security Act 2013, food grains must be provided to disabled persons through ration cards. However, in many cases, despite having their names enrolled, disabled persons do not get rationed food. To stop this, forming a new disability scheme the state government decided to issue separate ration cards for the disabled. The government decision in this regard was published on 21 December 2020.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 21 Dec 2020
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12
Feb 2021
Disabled students eligible for 11th admission
All disabled students, whether hearing impaired or completely deaf, partially and totally blind, mentally retarded, physically challenged, multiple disabilities, learning disabled, autistic, cerebral palsy, etc., were allowed for admission to Class XI through the ATKT concessions rule without clearing the English subject in Class X. However, they would have to clear Class X English taking it as an isolated subject. This was an amendment to the government decision of 8 January 2016, which eased the conditions for graduation for deaf, multiple disabilities, autistic, and learning-disabled students appearing in any branch of Arts, Commerce, or Science, by allowing them to take one language and five optional subjects including English instead of two languages and six subjects including four optional subjects as stipulated for general category students.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 12 Feb 2021
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29
Nov 2022
Creation of the Divyang Welfare Department
There are more than 30 lakh Divyang people in Maharashtra. The education, training, and rehabilitation schemes for these Divyang people were being implemented through the Social Justice Department. However, given the heavy workload of the Social Justice Department, the state government decided to establish an independent Divyang Welfare Department to address the requirements of Divyang people in a cabinet meeting. The various Divyang yojanas for the economic, social, and educational development of the Divyang people were decided to be implemented through this Divyang Welfare Department.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 29 Nov 2022
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24
Feb 2023
Setting the goal to develop the marginalized groups of society
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met a disabled grandparent from Pune district (Res. Kunjirwadi, Tal. Haveli) at the Ministry on January 31, 2023. The grandparent’s application for pension remained unfulfilled even though she met many ministers including one or two Chief Ministers, urging for the same. Finally, all her earnest efforts paid off through meeting Devendraji, who took time to see the application and sent it to the District Collector of Pune ordering action. The application was approved immediately making way for Mrs. Sunita Ashtuk, the said grandparent, to receive the pension from then on under the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 24 Feb 2023
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19
Apr 2023
4 percent reservation for promotion of disabled employees
The decision to provide a 4% reservation in promotion for Divyang employees in Group A to Group D categories in state government services, as per the central government’s guidelines, was taken in a state cabinet meeting,
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 19 Apr 2023
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10
Nov 2023
Reservation for the disabled in state government jobs
As Section 34 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 stipulated at least 4% reservation for Divyang candidates for jobs, the state government decided to implement the same in each ot its department.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 10 Nov 2023
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28
Nov 2023
Rehabilitation Centres for the disabled under Namo Divyang Shakti Abhiyan
On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 73rd birthday, it was decided to start 73 Rehabilitation Centres for the disabled in the state under the Namo Divyang Shakti Abhiyan. Two centers in each district and one each for Mumbai city and the suburbs. The rehabilitation centers will provide facilities like basic treatment, surgery equipment, and more to the Divyang people without compromising their security, under the Namo Divyang Shakti Abhiyan initiative.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 28 Nov 2023
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22
Dec 2023
Expert Committee was formed to establish a University for the Disabled
The state government decided to build a university for the disabled in the state, where proper methods will be adopted in the study, teaching, and evaluation of disabled students, and the right facilities will be made available to meet this purpose and to ensure that all disabled students can pursue higher education without any difficulty. A 15-member committee was formed under the chairmanship of former Vice Chancellor Muralidhar Chandekar.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 22 Dec 2023
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1
Feb 2024
Committee was formed to create an automated system for Divyang candidates
To adopt a technology-based automated system to assist Divyang students in examinations Instead of providing assistants, scribes, or readers to them, a three-member committee was formed under the chairmanship of the Secretary, Divyang Welfare Department.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 1 Feb 2024
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16
Mar 2024
Survey of Persons with Disabilities
According to the 2011 census, the number of persons with disabilities in Maharashtra was found to be 29.63 lakh across seven categories. This was 2.6 percent of the total population. However, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 specifies 21 categories of disabilities. This points to the certainty of more disabled persons in the state. On this premise, it was decided to conduct a survey of persons with disabilities in the state.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 16 Mar 2024
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27
Jun 2024
Universal Identity Card (UDID) Mandatory for Government Schemes
Obtaining the Universal Identity Card (UDID Card) was made mandatory for the disabled in the state to avail the benefits of schemes, job reservations, promotions, and concessions meant for them as offered by the Central and State Governments. This identity card along with a valid disability certificate will be necessary to be eligible for the various schemes by the government, as per a new government decision taken on 27 June 2024.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 27 Jun 2024
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27
Jan 2025
Chief Minister's instructions to prepare a Divyang Welfare Policy with helps from the corporate sector
Divyang people face many difficulties performing daily work, education, and jobs, which might frustrate them at times. The government is taking several steps to provide the Divyangs with facilities that will be useful to them and bring them into the mainstream of society. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in his consistent efforts to help the Divyangs, decided to prepare a Divyang Welfare Policy with help from the corporates. He has also ordered a campaign to make Aadhaar cards from aided special schools and workshops under the Divyang Department, to start an Aadhaar-linked biometric attendance system for students and employees in these schools, to distribute Universal Identity Cards (UDID) to avail the benefits of government schemes, etc.
Divyang Welfare Related Photos & Video - 27 Jan 2025
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Divyang Yojanas by Fadnavis impacting the disabled and the society at large
The above timeline of decisions reflects the empathy and care Devendra Fadnavis has for the Divyang persons. He consistently makes efforts to bring them into mainstream society and empower them through assistance in education, healthcare, and job opportunities. All of his decisions, such as concessions in examinations, establishing writer/reader banks, special courts, cultural activities, and creating a separate Divyang Department, deeply encourage and motivate the Divyang people to overcome self-doubt and promote their self-worth through education, socialization, and opting for employment opportunities. In the age of technology, more job opportunities are becoming available for Divyang people to improve their quality of life. Fadnavis’ support is always present for them to embark on a life-changing path and contribute to the balanced and inclusive development of the state.