Gangtok, 29th July: A meeting of the District Level Committee (DLC) on Disability constituted under Section 72 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 was held at the District Administrative Centre (DAC), Gangtok, under the chairmanship of Mr. Rohan Agawane, IAS, District Collector-cum-District Magistrate, Gangtok District.
The meeting was attended by the following District Level Committee (DLC) members:
1. Mr. Rohan Agawane, (Chairperson) , District Collector-cum-District Magistrate, Gangtok District.
2. Mr. C. S. Limboo, (member), Sub-Divisional Magistrate (HQ), Gangtok District
3. Dr. Chedup Lepcha, (member), Singtam District Hospital
4. Dr. B. Dahal, (member), Psychiatrist, District Hospital, Singtam
5. Ms. Pritima Sunam, (member), Legal Retainer, DAC, Gangtok
6. Mr. Ganga Prasad Bhattarai, (member), General Secretary, Kalpataru Pratisthan (NGO)
7. Mr. Peter Lepcha, (member) , Lineman, Power Department, DAC, Gangtok
8. Ms. Manikala Gurung, (Member Secretary), Social Welfare Officer, Women & Child Development Department (W&CDD), Gangtok District
The meeting commenced with a welcome address by Ms. Manikala Gurung, Member Secretary, who welcomed all the members and briefed them on the objectives and functions of the District Level Committee constituted under Section 72 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. She explained that the Committee is responsible for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the provisions of the Act at the district level, ensuring convergence among departments, safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities, promoting accessibility and inclusion, and facilitating the effective implementation of various welfare schemes and rehabilitation measures.
She highlighted the disability welfare schemes being implemented by the department, including the Chief Minister's Disability Pension Scheme (CMDPS) and the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), which provide financial assistance to eligible persons with disabilities. She further informed the members about the Sikkim Grant of Award for Marriage with a Person with Disability, under which a one-time grant of ₹2,00,000 is provided as an award to encourage and support marriages involving a person with disability.
She also emphasized the importance of the Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Card, stating that it is a mandatory document for persons with disabilities to avail themselves of various government benefits and services. The UDID Card serves as a single, nationally recognized disability identity and enables beneficiaries to access concessions and schemes related to medical treatment, transportation, education, social security, rehabilitation, and other welfare programmes. She urged all eligible persons with disabilities to obtain their UDID Cards to ensure seamless access to these entitlements.
During the meeting, members deliberated on various issues concerning the welfare and empowerment of persons with disabilities and discussed measures to strengthen inter-departmental coordination for better service delivery.
In his concluding remarks, District Collector Mr. Rohan Agawane, emphasized the need to ensure the empowerment, inclusion, dignity, equal rights, and overall well-being of Divyangjan. He stressed the importance of imparting skill development and vocational training to persons with disabilities to promote self-reliance and enhance their livelihood opportunities. He also called upon all departments to work in a coordinated manner to ensure that government schemes and services effectively reach every eligible beneficiary.
The meeting concluded with the following key outcomes:
1. Strengthening support systems for the care and protection of persons with disabilities.
2. Organizing training and capacity-building programmes for caregivers.
3. Exploring the provision of dedicated hospital rooms/wards for persons with disabilities suffering from prolonged illnesses.
4. Examining the feasibility of establishing day-care facilities for persons with disabilities to provide care, rehabilitation, and support services
