- Social Welfare Minister Smt. Lakshmi Rajwade and Health Minister Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal Hold Joint Meeting
A joint meeting was held on Tuesday at Mahanadi Bhawan (Mantralaya), Atal Nagar, by Social Welfare Minister Smt. Lakshmi Rajwade and Health Minister Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal. The meeting aimed to make welfare schemes and health services—pertaining to persons with disabilities, the transgender community, and other inter-departmental matters—more effective and accessible.
- Expedited Investigation into Fake Disability Certificate Cases
Discussions were held regarding the investigation of cases involving 186 individuals currently employed in government service based on disability certificates. It was decided that these investigations would be conducted through the State Medical Board or Divisional Medical Boards, in accordance with the guidelines of the General Administration Department. Deliberations also took place on issuing necessary instructions for the concerned individuals to appear before the medical board for examination and on reviewing the cases of those who present themselves for the physical assessment of their disability within the stipulated timeframe.
Officials stated that necessary guidelines would be established regarding the examination process at the State and Divisional Medical Boards for individuals employed in government services based on potentially fake disability certificates.
- Streamlining the Process for Disability Certificates and UDID Cards
The meeting addressed ways to simplify the issuance of disability certificates and UDID cards for persons with disabilities, ensure the availability of specialist doctors on medical boards, and organize special medical boards and disability assessment camps in remote and rural areas. Emphasis was placed on strengthening the necessary arrangements to provide certificates and UDID cards to eligible persons with disabilities in a timely manner.
The process of issuing temporary and permanent disability certificates, in accordance with the criteria set by the Government of India, was also reviewed. A consensus was reached to utilize the services of specialist doctors from the private sector in the event of a shortage of specialists on the medical boards. Discussion on the Welfare of the Transgender Community
The meeting included discussions on state assistance for Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) for individuals from the transgender community and the timely delivery of benefits to eligible beneficiaries. Deliberations were held regarding the inclusion of necessary surgical procedures in the SRS assistance grant guidelines and the revision of prescribed rates to align with current market prices.
Discussions also took place regarding the establishment of dedicated transgender clinics or wards in government hospitals across the state to ensure better healthcare facilities for transgender individuals.
- Emphasis on Strengthening De-addiction Centers
De-addiction centers operated by the Social Welfare Department were reviewed during the meeting. The processes concerning the registration of these centers and their affiliation with the Mental Health Authority were examined to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Mental Health Care Act, 2017. Discussions were also held on issuing necessary guidelines regarding the medication provided to individuals undergoing treatment at these centers, as well as on expanding and improving the operations of the centers.
Furthermore, a consensus was reached to ensure regular health check-ups for beneficiaries residing in government-run and grant-in-aid institutions dedicated to the rehabilitation and institutional care of persons with disabilities, senior citizens, beggars, transgender individuals, and those suffering from substance abuse.
Senior officials from both departments attended the meeting, including Health Department Secretary Shri Amit Kataria, Social Welfare Department Principal Secretary Smt. Shahla Nigar, Health Department Commissioner-cum-Director Shri Sanjeev Jha, and Social Welfare Department Director Shri Ranveer Sharma.