AGARTALA, Aug 27 (TIWN): Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Act East’ policy brought Union Minister for state Krishnapal Gurjar, MoSJ&E, Govt. of India and Rs. 56 lakhs of aids and appliances were distributed among 526 differently-abled Tripura Children under Modi Govt.’s digital India project at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhawan on Saturday. Tripura Ministers, Chief Minister shamelessly raised various demands for the differently-abled children in Tripura. During his speech Millind Ramteke, West DM said, “In Tripura there are 42,947 disables have been recorded for which 28 schemes are there and Tripura govt. itself running 25 schemes amongst them. DM also requested for training to the persons along with the aids. Joint Secretary for DoEPwDs, MoSJ&E, GoL Awanish Kumar Awasthi said, “This is just the beginning of massive campaigning with 520 children. However, the central govt. has decided to make Universal ID Cards for disables, so that they are provided with same benefits in every states. DM requested the state govt. of Tripura to cover 100 % coverage of differently-abled, so that Central can send more funds. However, both Bijita Nath (Social Welfare Minister), Jharna Das Baidya (MP) cried foul over funds and ended with praising the CPI-M govt.

Bijita Nath said, “Rs. 16 crores were demanded among which the state govt. has received only 30 lakhs only. 

Lameduck Bijita Nath  also mentioned that the NGOs have not gotten their funds in the last year whereas no fund was given under Braille project too. She also asked funds for hearing disabilities.  Jharna Das Baidya however ended with praising the left front Govt. “Tripura is always number 1 in presenting data, report presentation, she said.  “Left front govt. is very serious about differently abled children's upgardation”, she added.

Union Minister for state Krishnapal Gurjar mentioned that as per 2011 data there are 2.68 crores of disable in India, whereas Tripura also shares a large number of disables which is more than 70 thousand. The Minister for Social Welfare Justice & Empowerment Krishnapal Gurjar also said, Modi Govt. has brought many new schemes for disables including Universal ID, Transport-ease, Battery used Motor Cycle, special schemes for Deaf and Dumb children.

 However, he further asked the State Govt. to identify the deaf and dumb between 0 to 5 years children, so that a special operation can be done by which they will be able to speak. “The all identified children will be equally benefited”, promised Gurjar. Central Govt’s Rs. 200 crores project is to provide various artificial body parts to the handicaps, so please utilize the project, urged Gurjar to Tripura CM.

“Although Tripura is a bordering state but Modi Govt.’s Act In Policy will do full justice with Northeast”, said Union Minister. He also mentioned that with today’s Rs. 56 lakhs equipments the central govt. will give machines for all 10,000 deaf children.

In his speech Tripura CM Manik Sarkar said, “Although first time, but Central Govt. has organized such a massive programme in Agartala, for which the state govt. was urging for decades”. “We hope after today the cooperation between state and central will be well maintained”, added Sarkar.

However he told the disable families that “Do not think the govt. is doing any favour to you, rather it’s their duty to do for you”. “Those who have come to help you is their work”, added Sarkar.

Pointing to Union Minister Tripura CM said, “This programme belongs to the West District. Tripura has more 7 districts, also do equal for them”.

The interesting matter was that although CM first said “I can’t talk in Hindi”, but just after he completed his speech, the Union Minister kept no space for allegation and said standing beside CM, “Today I promise I myself will distribute aids to all the 7 districts of Tripura and the whole demands raised by CM and MP, will be fulfilled. In this dais I promise it”.