Ranchi, Dec. 4: Around 50 government buildings in the capital will soon be equipped with elevators and ramps to ensure that those with hindered mobility are not denied ease of access.

The department for empowerment of people with disability, functioning under the Union ministry of social justice, has already identified the 50 buildings in the city and carried out accessibility audit, paving the way for infrastructure modification/alteration.

The buildings include state secretariat Nepal House, the directorate of social welfare, the transport office, the provident fund office, Ranchi Sadar Hospital, parts of Ranchi University, the government school at Hinoo and some anganwadis.

State disability commissioner Satish Chandra said the department had launched Accessible India campaign in December last year and was seriously working towards an inclusive society.

"Sensitisation of government buildings is part of that campaign. Tender for installing lifts or creating ramps at the select buildings will be issued soon," Chandra told The Telegraph today.

Yesterday, several rallies and functions were organised in Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Dhanbad, among others, to mark the Disability Day or International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed across the globe every year on December 3.

Chandra added that various government wings, including Jharkhand Public Service Commission, were implementing the decision to ensure three per cent reservation in government jobs. The state personnel department has also agreed to calculate all such vacancies since the formation of the state in 2000 and clear the backlog by appointing disabled people to those posts.

"The state government has also decided to give grace marks to disabled women while selection of poshan sakhis (health workers)," he added.

Also, the National Rural Livelihood Mission has joined hands with an international NGO, which works for the welfare of differently abled here, to provide special consideration to them while creating job opportunities for underprivileged people.

The disability commissioner has also written to the government to increase the monthly aid paid to them. Currently, they receive Rs 600 per month under the Swami Vivekananda Nishakt Swavalamban Rashi.

"We also hope that the state government will soon come up with its disability policy," Chandra said. "The government should provide free medical treatment to all of them and free house for disabled women under the existing schemes like Indira Awaas Yojana, among others."