Reported by: Sudam Babu, Bureau Chief, Odisha

Boudh, Odisha | September 28: A special Bhim Bhoi Disability Empowerment Camp was organised at the Kantamal Block premises in Boudh district as part of the ‘Seva Setu’ campaign, with the objective of making government welfare services and support facilities more accessible to persons with disabilities.

The camp brought several essential services together at one location, including disability registration, assistance with Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards, identification of beneficiaries for assistive equipment and access to social security-related services.

Senior Officials Attend Programme

Boudh Collector Bibhuti Bhushan Nayak and Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Meena attended the programme along with Chief Development Officer Prabhas Chandra Dandasena and Chief District Medical Officer Dr. Mahendra Kumar Sahu.

Kantamal BDO Sammi Reddy Jayashree, Tahasildar Swetapadma Joshi and District Information and Public Relations Officer Bidyapati Panda were also present.

The programme was conducted under the supervision of District Social Security Officer Rajendra Kishan, with officials from different departments working together to provide assistance to beneficiaries.

168 People Register at Camp

The camp recorded significant participation, with 168 persons registering for various services. The process related to issuing UDID certificates for 42 persons was completed during the programme.

Officials also identified 28 beneficiaries for assistive devices based on their requirements. In addition, two persons received wheelchairs, while four beneficiaries were provided bus passes.

Including persons with disabilities and their attendants, the camp attracted 368 participants.

Health and Social Security Support

Specialist doctors and personnel from the Health Department and District Social Security Department participated in the camp. Representatives of voluntary organisations also joined the programme and helped beneficiaries access the available services.

The arrangement enabled participants to seek assistance regarding disability-related documentation, welfare benefits, mobility support and other services without having to approach multiple offices separately.

Collector Stresses Rights and Inclusion

Addressing the gathering, Collector Bibhuti Bhushan Nayak urged officials to take necessary measures to safeguard the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.

He also stressed the importance of helping persons with disabilities become more self-reliant and ensuring their effective participation in mainstream society. Officials were encouraged to work toward removing barriers that prevent eligible beneficiaries from accessing government schemes and support.

The Kantamal camp served as a platform where multiple government and welfare services were brought closer to beneficiaries. The initiative under the Seva Setu campaign also highlighted the administration’s focus on improving doorstep access to public services for vulnerable sections of society.