Chandigarh, December 12 – Haryana Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, Mrs. Geeta Bhukkal said that State Government has decided to increase the retirement age of Master Trainers of Red Cross Society from 58 years to 60 years. Rickshaw allowance would also be given to Master Trainers.
A decision of this effect was taken in a meeting with National Federation of Blind, Haryana Branch chaired by Mrs. Geeta Bhukkal here today.
It was also decided in the meeting that special schools for children with disabilites at Hisar, Gurgoan, Karnal and Ambala would also be upgraded so that children with disabilities especially visually impaired would get more opportunities of education. After initiating all formalities, these schools would be upgraded during next year. Apart from this, higher education facilities would also be provided to them. For this purpose, necessary infrastructure would be provided in the existing colleges. The Minister directed the concerned officers in this regard and said that she would convene another meeting within 15 days so as to review the progress of the decisions taken in the meeting.
Mrs. Bhukkal said that all the backlog of reserved posts which were lying vacant for blind persons in different department would be cleared shortly. It was decided in the meeting to constitute Departmental committees for this purpose. Special permission would be sought from the Chief Minister to this effect. It was also decided in the meeting that demand of Federation concerning giving appointment on JBT posts to persons with visual disability who possess B.Ed. qualification would also be examined.
The Minister said that Government Blind School, Panipat have been upgraded to 10+2 level. Infrastructure had been upgraded in this school. Process for new building had already been initiated. She said that officers concerned should ensure the implementation of various schemes with the same sensitivity with which they had been framed for persons with disabilities.
Speaking on this occasion, General Secretary, National Federation of Blind, Haryana Branch, Mr. Jage Ram said the Haryana Government was very sensitive towards blind and disabled persons. He also thanked the Minister for sympathetically considering the demands of the Federation.
Principal Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Mr. P.K. Das, Director General Social Justice and Empowerment Mrs. Renu Fuliya, Director General School Education Mr. Chander Shekhar, Director General Elementary Education Mr. D. Suresh and representatives of the National Federation of Blind, Haryana Branch also present on this occasion.