Punjab Divyangjan Shaktikaran Yojana (PDSY) 2024 for Persons with Disabilities

Punjab Divyangjan Shaktikaran Yojana (PDSY) 2024 had been approved by the state cabinet on 18 November 2020. The new Punjab Disabled Empowerment Scheme would be implemented in a phase wise manner. The first phase of the handicapped persons welfare scheme aims at strengthening the existing programmes to ensure their benefits reach persons with disabilities (PWDs). In the 2nd phase, the Punjab state govt. has proposed to undertake 13 new interventions for the empowerment of specially abled persons.

Punjab Divyangjan Shaktikaran Yojana (PDSY) 2024

The decision to implement Punjab Divyangjan Shaktikaran Yojana (PDSY) 2024 is taken in the virtual cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister in Chandigarh. The new Handicap Empowerment Scheme will fill the backlog of people with disabilities (PwDs) in government jobs. In this scheme, the department of employment generation will give thrust on filling vacant posts of PwDs in 6 months.

Phase 1 of Punjab Divyangjan Shaktikaran Yojana

In the Phase 1 of Punjab Divyangjan Shaktikaran Yojana, the scheme will focus on providing PWDs the benefits of existing schemes being run by the government departments. This would cover services, benefits and rights in respect of healthcare, education, employment, safety and dignity in all spheres of life.

Phase 2 of Punjab Divyangjan Shaktikaran Yojana

Phase-II of the PDSY shall have new initiatives and programmes. These new initiatives will cover those aspects and needs which have not been covered under any existing centrally/state sponsored scheme or PwD-oriented schemes by different departments. The scheme focuses on convergence and integration of existing schemes and programmes to maximise their benefit for PwDs. In Phase 2 of PDSY Scheme, the 13 interventions include the following:-

• Treatment on suffering disability
• Mobility aids
• Assistive devices
• Five days of special leave in a calendar year
• Free education
• Empowerment of disabled girl students
• Recreational activities
• Home schooling for children with special needs
• State award for outstanding work done by teachers with disability.

Implementation of Punjab Divyangjan Shaktikaran Yojana

A consultative group headed by the minister for social security and women and child development, with all cabinet ministers as members will supervise the implementation of the scheme. Under the supervision of all these members, the state govt. wants to successfully implement the Punjab Divyangjan Shaktikaran Yojana for the welfare of handicapped persons.

Source / Reference Link: https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/punjab-to-launch-special-scheme-for-physically-challenged/story-DDl6O9lGMhxvZtOK2oetrM.html