Panvel: With a view to formulate a model policy for the welfare of persons with disabilities or divyang and implement the Divyang Welfare Policy, the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) held a meeting of its Divyang Welfare Committee recently.

PMC aims to study the issues and needs of Divyang persons within its jurisdiction and devise appropriate solutions. These include ensuring access to education, employment, and opportunities for social participation, as well as providing necessary facilities and support to Divyang individuals.

As per the directives of the Hon. High Court, a committee must be formed for the welfare of persons with disabilities. This committee should include representatives from the department of social justice, health department, other related departments, and representatives of Divyang individuals.

PMC is conducting a house-to-house survey of Divyang individuals residing within the PMC limits. PMC has urged the organisations fighting for the cause of Divyangs to raise awareness and ensure all Divyang persons are included in the survey. This will ensure that no Divyang individual is left out of the survey or deprived of welfare benefits, Ganesh Shete, additional commissioner, PMC, said.

The PMC has also resolved to strictly implement the Divyang Shop Allocation Policy in line with the High Court directives. As part of this, Deputy Commissioner, Ravikiran Ghodke presented a draft of an inclusive and model shop allocation policy which incorporates the best practices of was prepared after studying similar policies of other municipal corporations.