Differently-abled get Rs 50,000 ‘wedding gift’ from MBMC

Mumbai: The Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) will enhance existing facilities and increase financial benefits for the differently abled people living in the twin-city.

According to a unique wedding assistance scheme — one of the initiatives mooted by the MBMC’s social welfare department — Rs 50,000 in aide will be granted to a person with 40 per cent or more physical disabilities for his or her marriage.

To avail benefits of the Wedding Assistance Scheme, the marriage should be duly registered, and either the bride or groom should be a resident of the state, officials said.

The MBMC has also decided to substantially hike the pre and post-matriculation scholarship amount given to physically challenged students studying in the various educational institutions in twin cities.

Annual scholarships for students from Class 1 to 4 and Class 5 to 7 have been increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 12,000 and Rs 4,000 to Rs 18,000 respectively. Class 11 students who pursue graduation will get an annual scholarship of Rs 24,000, which was just Rs 10,000 earlier.

To encourage physically challenged people to become self-reliant, the MBMC has chalked out an elaborate “loan subsidy” scheme offering a 33 per cent subsidy on a Rs 3 lakh loan availed from recognised banking institutions for self-employment ventures.

A Rs 2 lakh free health insurance scheme has been planned for the physically challenged, who will also get help to procure equipment that can reduce their disability and increase their economic potential. As per official records there are around 2,950 physically challenged people registered with the civic body.

Even though three per cent of the total municipal budget in each fiscal is kept reserved for the welfare of the physically challenged, a major chunk of these funds had been lying unutilised for several years as the civic administration had failed to initiate any type of welfare schemes.

Highlights of the schemes

• Eligible candidates will be extended financial assistance of Rs 50,000 for his or her marriage.
• Annual Scholarships from Rs 12,000 to Rs 24,000 for students from Class 1 to 11 and those who are pursuing graduation.
• Loan Subsidy Scheme offers a 33 per cent subsidy on a Rs 3 lakh loan availed from recognised banking institutions for self-employment ventures.  
• Free Health Insurance worth Rs 2 lakh
• Free equipment to reduce disability and increase economic potential.
• A school for disabled and special children.