Patna: Over 616,000 disabled individuals in Bihar have been issued Unique Disability Identity (UDID) cards, according to government figures reviewed at a state-level meeting on Thursday. Authorities are now aiming to expedite the processing of over 1,00,000 pending applications, with the Social Welfare Department directing that at least 25% be completed by the end of June.
The meeting, chaired by Social Welfare Department Secretary Bandana Preyashi, focused on accelerating implementation of various welfare schemes for disabled persons (Divyangjans), including organising regular survey and certification camps to ensure wider inclusion.
Preyashi also issued directives to speed up the distribution of assistive equipment under the Mukhyamantri Divyangjan Empowerment Chhatra Yojana (Sambal). Targets have been set for distributing 6,000 battery-operated tricycles and 7,000 other assistive devices in the 2025–26 financial year. Last year, more than 24,000 tricycles and nearly 1,00,000 devices were distributed under the scheme.
Officials were also instructed to resolve 58 pending legal guardianship applications and to engage local public representatives and social organisations to improve awareness using tools such as banners, street plays and miking.
Rehabilitation efforts for mentally challenged women and children were also reviewed, with orders issued to liaise with families and ensure reintegration wherever possible. The functioning of Aasra homes in Patna and special residential and day schools for children with disabilities was also evaluated.
The meeting also reviewed national-level schemes such as the National Scholarship Scheme, the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS), the ADP Scheme and CPDA. A target of 5,000 student scholarships has been set for the coming year. Since 2020, 7,755 students have benefited from scholarship support.
Preyashi called for swift action on 27 pending registration cases related to the State Commissioner for Disability Office, urging all officers to act with urgency and compassion in delivering services.
Those present at the meeting included Yogesh Kumar Sagar, Director of the Directorate of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, along with Deputy Secretary Harishankar Ram, Additional Commissioner Rubi Kumari and Deputy Director Bhuvan Kumar.
