Committed to welfare, empowerment of persons with disabilities: A.P. Minister

Ministers, MLAs and elected representatives participated in the launch of ‘Divyanga Shakti,’ the free bus ride facility for persons with disabilities, in Nandyal, Kurnool and Anantapur districts.

In Nandyal, Minister for Minorities Welfare N. Md. Farooq launched the scheme in the presence of Joint Collector K. Karthik and RTC officials.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Farooq said the scheme is part of the prestigious ‘Indradanassu’ programme of the State government, intended to provide equal opportunities and self respect to persons with disabilities. Mr. Farooq said the free bus scheme will enable persons with disabilities to travel freely on RTC buses, thereby reducing burden on them. This will also give them the freedom to travel for their acadmeic, employment and medical needs.

“The scheme will improve the living standards of persons with disabilities,” he said.

Mr. Karthik said persons with disabilities can travel for free on city buses, Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, Metro Express and Express buses. Attendants who travel along with the persons with disabilities will get 50% discount on ticket fare, he said. Persons with disabilities travelling in Premium AC and Deluxe buses will get 50% discount on ticket fare.

Mr. Farooq and Mr. Karthik travelled on a bus along with the persons with disabilities on the occasion of the launch.

Launching the scheme at Banaganapalle, Minister for Roads and Buildings B.C. Janardhan Reddy said Divyanga Shakti scheme is an Ugadi gift to persons with disabilities. “We have promised to give a respectable position and equal opportunities to persons with disabilities and we have fulfilled our promise,” he said adding that all the Super Six assurances have been implemented successfully.

Mr. Janardhan Reddy said the State government will be incurring a cost of ₹207 crore by implementing the scheme.

Launching the scheme in Kurnool, Kurnool Urban Development Authority Chairperson Somisetty Venkateswarlu said the government is committed to the welfare of the poor and the Super Six schemes were designed to uplift and empower the poor. Collector A. Siri said 30,150 people with disabilites were being given monthly pensions at their doorstep every month and soon motorised tricycles will be given to 70 beneficiaries.

In Anantapur, MLA Daggubati Venkateswara Prasad and Collector O. Anand launched the scheme.