Mangaluru : Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim has said that 298 beneficiaries who were screened at comprehensive assessment camp for persons with disabilities, will get aids and appliances, at taluk panchayat premises in Mangaluru on December 28 between 9 am and 3 pm.

The total value of the aids and equipment to be distributed is Rs 13 lakh.

Addressing mediapersons at Taluk Panchayath office on Friday, he said that the camp was organised by Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute for the Physically Handicapped (DUIPH) (Southern Regional Centre) in association with district administration, Indian Red Cross Society and District Disabled Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC) on January 24, 2014.

The distribution of aids and appliances was delayed for various reasons. Out of 298 beneficiaries— 195 (Mangaluru), 18 (Sullia), Puttur (35), Belthangady (17), Bantwal (29), Kundapur (2), Kasargod(1) and Chikkodi (1). The appliances to be distributed are artificial limb (32), artificial hand (4), califers (46), CTEV shoes (2), modified shoes (5), posterior splints (6), tricycles (6), wheel chairs (35), arm crutches (18), elbow crutches (8), walker sticks (8), walkers (4), knee gaiters (9), rollators (2), hand glove (1), hearing aid (77), walking stick for blind (47), Braille slates (39), MR kit (68), CP chairs (7) and corner chairs (2).

District Disabled Welfare Officer Chandrika said that 100 NSS volunteers from MAPS College will help the beneficiaries. Arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the distribution programme.

Eight counters will be opened to avoid the rush. The first counter will verify the caste and income certificates of the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries have already been intimated on the programme and CDPOs has been entrusted with the responsibility to bring the beneficiaries to the venue.

She said that endowment department has been entrusted with the responsibility to make arrangement for the breakfast and lunch. The MCC will make arrangement for the supply of water and other basic facilities. Doctors from health department will be at the venue.

The officer said that the department of disabled and senior citizens welfare conducts taluk level camps every week to help the disabled persons. The camps are held at Mangaluru (Monday and Tuesday), Sullia (Thursday) and Puttur and Bantwal (Friday and Saturday). The camp screens the beneficiaries and issues them with ID cards with the help of the health department.

In a move to encourage visually-impaired students to opt for higher education, the State government has decided to distribute laptops free of cost to such students of Class 10 and above this year. Those who suffer from 75 per cent and above disability will be given two-wheeler. The target is 20 for the district and January 5 is the last date to apply. Under fee reimbursement scheme of the government, 42 students have been benefited in the district this year, she added.