Melody market being planned for special persons

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE (May 15 2004): The government is working fast on various projects aimed at the betterment of special people and for this purpose Lahore is being declared as 'friendly city.' The government has also allocated quota in civil services from grade 15 to 22 for special persons.

This was stated at a briefing given by Punjab Special Education Department to Advisor to Prime Minister Nilofar Bakhtiar here on Friday.

She was told that a committee is being set up, to resolve the problems faced by special persons. In Lahore, a melody market is also being planned which will have all necessary facilities for special persons, including banking facility. The number of special education institutions is also being raised while hostels for children will be set up.

Punjab Minister for Special Education Qudsia Lodhi at the occasion informed the Advisor that other facilities to be provided to special people included establishment of a degree college, reforms centre, raising the number of special education institutions up to 90 and increase in strength of teachers.

Moreover, students will be provided stipend up to Rs 200, besides the provision of hearing aid facility, establishment of separate wards in hospitals, raise in pay of teachers, separate sports complex etc.

She further said that the provincial government is soon to form a committee to formulate a comprehensive strategy for special people in the province.

Nilofar Bakhtiar said that 'Centre of Excellency' and web site for special people will also be provided.

Now every new government or private building will have car parking and bathroom facilities for special people. Similarly, she said that arrangements for provision of separate seats for special people would also be made in public transport.

Provincial Minister Sughra Imam, Ashfa Riaz, Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister Faiza Asghar, MNAs, MPAs, Secretary Special Education and others attended the meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2004
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Programme To Make Islamabad, Four Provincial Capitals Disabled-Friendly Cities;Nilofer

LAHORE, Pakistan : May 15 (PNS) - Advisor to Prime Minister on Women Development and Special Education Nilofer Bukhtiar has said that government is taking various steps to facilitate Special persons and create awareness about their requirements and rights.

Briefly speaking after she was given briefing about performance and future plans of special education department at Directorate of Special Education here on Friday, she said legislation for two percent job quota for disabled has been prepared. Provincial Minister for Special Education Qudsia Lodhi, Miniter for Women Development Mrs Aashifa Riaz and Minister for Social Welfare Syeda Sughra Imam were also present on the occasion.

Nilofer Bukhtiar clarified that presently there is one percent quota for disabled persons in jobs. She said though legislation has been prepared for two percent quota, but there is no use of its enforcement unless there is an effective system for its implementation.

http://www.paknews.com/flash.php?id=1&date1=2004-05-15

thats great news ...

a step towards betterment of the people ...