Shop and kiosk allocation to follow designated reservation policy for Divyangjans

Gorakhpur : In a significant move to promote self-reliance and economic empowerment of Divyangjans, the Yogi Adityanath-led government has decided to implement reservation for them in shops and kiosks to be built in Municipal Corporations and Nagar Panchayats.

Under this initiative, both municipal corporations and the State Urban Development Authority (SUDA) have been instructed to prioritize the allocation of commercial spaces to Divyangjans as part of their rehabilitation schemes.

On Tuesday, Minister of State for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Backward Class Welfare (Independent Charge), Narendra Kashyap, held a meeting with officials from Municipal Corporation and SUDA in the Vidhan Sabha office to discuss the implementation strategy. He issued guidelines for ensuring that shop allocations are made according to the reservation policy and emphasized the importance of wide publicity so that eligible Divyangjans are made aware of the opportunity.

The Minister also proposed that the Municipal Corporation and the Department for Empowerment of Differently-Abled Persons jointly develop a new scheme, aimed at constructing and reserving exclusive shop spaces for Divyangjans across cities, offering them a sustainable source of income. He further stated, “Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has made it clear that our mission is not just to educate the differently-abled but also to make them economically independent and empowered.”

He further shared that under the Shop Construction and Operation Scheme for the financial year 2025–26, 199 Divyangjans have already been given benefits worth Rs 19.90 lakh, out of the target of 1,318 beneficiaries. Additionally, 766 applications have been received at the district level, which are currently under review, and the allocation process will be completed soon.

This initiative by the Yogi government will not only provide economic independence to Divyangjans, but also promote their social inclusion. The scheme is an important step toward improving the quality of life for Divyangjans and bringing them into the mainstream. With its effective implementation, thousands of beneficiaries across the state will become self-reliant.