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The Kasaragod district panchayat has once again been recognised as the best district panchayat in the State for its services in disability welfare. The award was conferred by the Social Justice department for a range of initiatives aimed at inclusion and support for persons with disabilities. According to the officials, the panchayat implemented several projects covering mobility support, education and self-employment. About ₹75 lakh was spent on distributing wheelchairs, while ₹1.71 crore was allocated for three-wheeler scooters. In 2022, three-wheelers worth ₹1.5 crore had also been provided. Funding was extended to Buds School to strengthen education facilities for children with disabilities. The Model Child Rehabilitation Centre (MCRC) supplied raw materials worth ₹5 lakh to the school to support self-employment activities. Mobile phones worth ₹10 lakh were distributed to visually-impaired persons to enhance digital access, and therapeutic equipment and hearing aids worth ₹15 lakh were also provided. District Panchayat President and Welfare Standing Committee Chairman M. Manu said the award reflects Kasaragod’s continued focus on empowering and ensuring social inclusion for the differently abled.
