Bhubaneswar, Nov 13: The Odisha government has decided to conduct a comprehensive state-wide survey to identify divyang (children with disabilities) in order to extend them the benefits of various welfare and educational schemes.

According to officials, the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Department has issued detailed guidelines for the survey, which will cover children between the ages of 0 and 6 years.

As part of the initiative, Anganwadi workers will undertake a door-to-door data collection drive. To encourage participation, each worker will receive an incentive of ₹500.

Children identified through this survey will be brought under the ambit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and other state-run programmes aimed at ensuring their empowerment, education, and inclusion.

The entire process is expected to be completed within a month, the official added.