CM gives cheques of Rs71m to NGOs for differently-abled persons

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday distributed cheques worth Rs71.252 million among the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working for differently-abled persons in the province so they can procure assistive devices.

The cheque distribution ceremony was held at the CM House, and was attended by Secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) Secretary Tauha Farooqi, and heads of the NGOs and rehabilitation centres.

The CM said his government has established rehabilitation centres for persons with disabilities all over the province to facilitate parents to enrol their differently abled children to make them effective persons in society.

The NGOs that were given cheques include Ida Rieu Welfare Association (Rs29.135m), JS Academy of Noor-e-Ali Trust (Rs10m), Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (Rs11.446m), Autism Care & Rehabilitation Organisation (Rs1.557m), Pakistan Association of the Blind National (Rs9.430m), Special Children School Karsaz of the Pakistan Navy (Rs4.178m), Imran Rehabilitation Centre of the Shareef Haroon Trust (Rs3.5m), NGO for Development of Special Persons (Rs586,000) and Pakistan Wheelchair Cricket Council (Rs1.425m).

Training centre

The CM also inaugurated the Vocational Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Ancholi, in a simple ceremony organised in the CM House’s Conference Room. He got the plaque unveiled by a differently abled person named Ali Ansar.

The ceremony was attended by provincial secretaries, notables and heads of different NGOs working for people with disabilities. The CM was told that 240 persons with disabilities, including 120 girls, have been enrolled at the vocation centre, and they are being imparted training.

Of the 240 students, 60 have been enrolled in the computer science training programme, 72 in the tailoring programme, 48 in the beautification programme, and 60 in the mobile phone repair programme.

The CM directed the DEPD secretary to run the centre effectively. He also made the assurance that he would provide more facilities and equipment if needed.