Nagpur, Aug 2026 : The government is committed to providing persons with disabilities with the assistive devices needed to make them self-reliant and empowered, while also giving them priority in employment, healthcare and education, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said here today. Various schemes of the Central and state governments are being effectively extended to persons with disabilities to bring about positive change in their lives. The availability of assistive devices will reduce difficulties faced by persons with disabilities in their daily lives and help them become more self-reliant. Such camps will continue to be organised regularly in the future to empower persons with disabilities, the Chief Minister said.
A free Jaipur Foot equipment and assistive devices measurement and distribution camp for persons with orthopaedic disabilities and hearing impairment from Nagpur district was organised at Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Auditorium under the initiative of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and jointly by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti, Jaipur, Zilla Parishad Nagpur and District Disability Rehabilitation Centre, Nagpur. He was speaking on the occasion. Revenue Minister and Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Minister of State for Finance and Planning Adv. Ashish Jaiswal, Mayor Neeta Thakre, Deputy Mayor Leela Hathibed, MLAs Sanjay Bhende, Rajiv Potdar, Kripal Tumane, Charansingh Thakur and Mohan Mate, NMC ruling party leader Narendra Borkar, NMC Commissioner Dr. Vipin Itankar, District Collector Kumar Ashirwad, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Vinayak Mahamuni, former Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari, Joint Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office Asha Pathan and others were present.
Chief Minister Fadnavis further said that Jaipur Foot equipment and various assistive devices were measured according to the requirements of persons with disabilities and distributed free of cost. The availability of the necessary equipment will reduce difficulties in their daily lives and help them become more self-reliant. He expressed satisfaction that the three-day camp had received a response much greater than expected. The Chief Minister said the idea of organising such a camp for persons with disabilities had originated from the Chief Minister’s Office, following which the necessary preparations were made at the Nagpur Municipal Corporation level. The Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti made a special contribution to organising the camp. The organisation has been working for persons with disabilities since 1975 and has been bringing about significant transformation in their lives through the Jaipur Foot initiative, he said.
He further said that the Central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is implementing various initiatives for persons with disabilities. The state government is also making efforts to provide all necessary support to them. The monthly financial assistance for persons with disabilities has been increased to Rs 2,500, and they are also being supported through various government schemes. The Chief Minister said the government would make positive efforts to explore ways of giving persons with disabilities priority in housing and other government schemes. He stressed the need to provide opportunities to their abilities by adopting the positive approach reflected in the term “Divyang” instead of “Viklang”. Various Central and state government schemes are being effectively implemented to reduce disabilities and empower persons with disabilities, he said. Chief Minister Fadnavis also directed that work related to UDID cards for persons with disabilities should be undertaken zone-wise. He assured that the government would continue its efforts to empower persons with disabilities in the future.
Earlier, Mayor Neeta Thakre delivered the introductory remarks and briefed the gathering on the successful progress of the initiative. An audiovisual presentation highlighting the successful organisation of the camp was also shown on the occasion. P.R. Mehta of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti was felicitated by the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Tiranga Vande Mataram exhibition. Prashant Ugemuge and Dr. Vijay Kumar Sharma were also honoured. NMC ruling party leader Narendra Borkar proposed the vote of thanks.
