Bhubaneswar, Sept 20: In a significant move towards inclusive development, the government has mandated that all departments under poverty alleviation and livelihood schemes allocate at least 5% of their annual budgets specifically for persons with disabilities (Divyangjan). The directive has been issued to 41 departments to ensure effective implementation of this initiative.

The state currently has around 12.44 lakh persons with disabilities. As part of the new measures, landless Divyangjan will be provided with land, and homeless individuals among them will receive pucca houses. The government will also allocate sufficient funds to promote entrepreneurship, skill development, and self-employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Departments have been instructed to identify and document success stories and best practices related to livelihood promotion for Divyangjan within their sectors. To coordinate these efforts, nodal officers will be appointed, with their details communicated to the Social Security Department.

These nodal officers will also oversee the review of various schemes aimed at benefiting persons with disabilities. In alignment with the guiding policy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,” the government reaffirms its commitment to ensure that no person with disability is left behind in the development process.