GANGTOK, Nov 15 - Samajik Adhikarita Shivir � a mega camp for free distribution of assistive aids and appliances to differently abled and senior citizens belonging to the BPL category under the ADIP scheme and the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana � was held at the Government Senior Secondary School, Kyongsa, at Gyalshing in West Sikkim today.
The camp was jointly organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, in coordination with the Social Justice and Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, and the West district administration.
Chief Minister PS Tamang attended the camp as the chief guest. The programme was presided over by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawarchand Gehlot.
Sikkim Assembly Deputy Speaker Sangey Lepcha, Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Social Justice MK Sharma and Minister of Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry Lok Nath Sharma, Minister of Labour and Power MN Sherpa and Minister of PHE and Water Resources Bhim Hang Limboo were present as guests of honour.
The programme began with the offering of a flower bouquet and a khada to the Union minister by Chief Minister Tamang.
Union minister Gehlot, in his address, stated that the Government of India, in coordination with the States, is fully committed to the welfare and empowerment of persons with disabilities for their safe, productive and dignified life. Gehlot stated that a total of 3,458 aids and appliances would be distributed to 1,073 beneficiaries at a total cost of Rs 104.52 lakhs in West district.
Later, Chief Minister Tamang and Union minister Gehlot presented aids and appliances like smart canes, wheelchairs, hearing aids, dentures, smartphones, spectacles, crutches, etc., to persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
