Patna: Shivajee Kumar, the new state commissioner for disabilities, on Friday said his mission was to find ways to make lives of differently abled people better in Bihar.

Addressing reporters at his office on Friday, Shivajee listed out achievements made in the field since he took charge of office on April 25 this year.

The most prominent among his achievements are holding mobile courts and sorting out problems of differently abled people on the spot. "A mobile court was held at Madhubani and Araria districts recently where certificates were given to disabled persons," said Shivajee, adding: "At Madhubani court, on-spot certificates were distributed to 184 disabled persons while number of beneficiaries were 668."

A similar mobile court is scheduled to be held at Bettiah in West Champaran district from June 10 to 12, he said.

The post of the state commissioner for disabilities has judicial powers. He can hold court and hear cases related to differently abled people like issuance of disability certificate, proper health check-up and reservation in educational institutions and government jobs. He is empowered to send notices to government departments and call government officials to court in hearings.

Any person who violates the Disability Act or any rule or regulation, can be imprisoned up to six months or forced to pay a penalty of Rs 10,000 or both.

Shivajee added that under the new rules, the disability categories had been increased from seven to 21. A helpline number, 844838559, has too been started by the office of state commissioner for persons with disabilities.

Shivajee said: "Under the new rules, disabled persons are entitled for 5 per cent reservation in medical and engineering admissions while they can also avail educational loan for higher education."

In a new initiative, a nodal officer in every department of the state government has been appointed who will co-ordinate with the office of state commissioner to give benefits to differently abled persons. The transport department now gives driving licence to differently abled persons with exemption from road tax, the commissioner said.

Shivajee said he is determined to ensure 5 per cent reservation in school admissions for differently abled children.

According to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, all private and government schools in every state must set aside this quota for children with disabilities. Again, letters have been sent to public and private companies demanding greater accessibility and a barrier-free environment at government and private offices across the state, he added.