BPL Card for PLHIVs Chandigarh

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum members,

 

As directed by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, Mr. Gopal Subramanian, Hon’ble Solicitor General of India vide his letter No. G-294/SGI/2009 dated 13th  August requested Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to hold an inter-ministerial meeting on issues related to Antodaya Yojna (AAY) Card and free transport to People Living with HIV/AIDS.

 

                  On the occasion of “World AIDS Orphan Day”, Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society and Chandigarh Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS marked the day in association with Department of Food & Supplies, Chandigarh Administration at Drop-In-Centre, Sec-15, Chandigarh. The objective behind the celebration was to include PLHIVs and provide them with the privileges under the AAY and BPL card.

 

As per the BPL criteria, a person is entitled to have 35 KG Wheat, Rice, Pulses, Kerosene, Sugar and other groceries etc. Apart from such entitlements under Food & Supplies, these are also given Free Medical Treatment in Government Hospitals.

 

On this day, as many as 80 PLHIVs have been registered under the scheme by the officials of Food & Supplies. Pradeep Kumar, Inspector Food & Supplies interacted with the fellow PLHIVs and made them aware of the schemes and privileges under BPL criteria. He also added, BPL card holder can also take benefits under SJSRY of Municipal Corporation and can avail the loaning facilities for Micro enterprises and skill development programmes.

 

Dr Vanita Gupta, Project Director, State AIDS Control Society Chandigarh assured PLHIVs regarding initiating Widow Pension Scheme from the Chandigarh Administration for PLHIVs. She also invited PLHIVs to be a part of the Rally against Stigma and Discrimination to be scheduled on 16th May 2010 at Ram Darbar.

 

In real sense, this initiative will definitely bring PLHIV community under one roof and also mainstream the community with available schemes and programmes of government. The seed of inclusion of PLHIVs under BPL criteria was sown on the occasion of World Poverty Day in Oct 2009 observed in association with Urban Poverty Alleviation and Livelihood Cell, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh.

 

  

Nawendu Jha

Program coordinator

Drop-in-centre

 

93567-12632

0172-4664261