PANAJI
A separate, dedicated department for persons with disabilities (PwDs) carved out of the Directorate of Social Welfare is set to begin functioning at Porvorim from Monday.
Styled the ‘Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities’ (DEPwD), it will deal with all matters related to PwDs, an official media release of the Department of Information and Publicity said.
“The primary objective of DEPwD is to ensure effective implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD Act),” the DIP release said, adding that ongoing schemes aimed for PwD welfare will be seamlessly transferred to DEPwD during the transition.
However, two schemes -- Dayanand Social Security Scheme (PwD) and the one pertaining to Special Schools -- will continue to be administered by the Directorate of Social Welfare, it adds.
DEPwD will operate from the third floor of Building ‘B’ in the new Market Complex at Porvorim, in which major changes have been made to make the premises accessible.
One of the steps taken is a facilitation counter set up on the ground floor of the building. Amenities such as wheelchair-accessible ramps, lifts, toilets, and wheelchairs have also been arranged, the media release said, adding that the department can be contacted via email at [email protected].
