<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"">GANGTOK, :</span></b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif""> Health minister G.T. Dhungel today urged the public, especially from the rural and remote areas of Sikkim, to make use of the Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) and Rachtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) schemes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"">Both schemes are flagship initiatives of ALIMCO, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and are aimed at improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) and senior citizens by providing assistive devices.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"">“Under the ADIP Scheme, eligible persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) are provided with durable and quality assistive devices such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetic limbs, tricycles, walkers and other mobility aids to enhance independence and social participation. Even for the visually impaired, magnifying glasses; for vision impairment, we even provide smartphones,” said the Health minister at a press conference held in the STNM hospital premises today.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"">The RVY Scheme provides free assistive living devices to senior citizens belonging to economically weaker sections who suffer from age-related disabilities such as low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and locomotor disabilities. Similarly, under the national scheme for senior citizens from economically backward classes, we provide walking sticks, walkers, hearing aids, braces, lumbar belts, spectacles, other supportive aids, wheelchairs and commode chairs, he added.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"">The minister further said, “It’s extremely good what ALIMCO has done for providing these gadgets necessary for physically deprived persons and senior citizens. The step we’ve taken is under the leadership of our Chief Minister PS Golay. Surprisingly, in Sikkim, we’re very active in the social sector. Now, it’s a commitment to inclusive development, inclusive development must happen everywhere. Plus, Sikkim is way ahead in social welfare, especially our CM has advanced social welfare”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"">In Sikkim, the count of disabled persons and senior citizens who are disabled is about 18,000 according to the census, almost 3% of the population. That’s a big number. That’s why this step has been taken to provide appliances and assistance to disabled persons for purchase and fitting of appliances, they have the right to know, he added.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"">ALIMCO deputy general manager Anupam Prakash, urging the public to help spread awareness about these important welfare initiatives to ensure that the benefits reach all eligible individuals in the state, informed that ALIMCO has only served 150 people in the last 5 years due to lack of awareness. He highlighted the procedure and eligibility criteria of both schemes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"">To be eligible for ADIP, the beneficiary must have 40% and above disability and mandatory UDID card. Besides, to avail free aids and appliances, the monthly income of the beneficiary should not exceed Rs. 22,500. Beneficiaries with monthly income between Rs. 22,501 and Rs. 30,000 may receive devices with a partial contribution.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"">For RVY, the beneficiaries should be 60 years of age and above, have copy of Aadhaar and the monthly income should not exceed Rs. 15,000 for availing free aids and appliances.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"">Both schemes are implemented by ALIMCO, a Government of India Public Sector enterprise responsible for manufacturing and distributing quality assistive devices across the country.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"">District officials and local authorities have been requested to actively support the identification and mobilization of eligible beneficiaries so that persons with disabilities and senior citizens across Sikkim can avail themselves of these benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"">For further information and assistance, beneficiaries may contact ALIMCO’s Toll-Free Helpline: 1800-180-5129.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"">Beneficiaries can also visit the local office at MD-VK, CRC Sikkim, Assam Lingzey, P.S. Ranipool, Pakyong District, Sikkim - 737135.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif""> </span></p>
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