Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government looks forward to productive outcomes through different collaborations and convergence with other Departments, Civil Society Organisations, said Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister, of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD).
Shri Panda graced the MoU signing event in Loka Seva Bhawan in presence of Bishnupada Sethi, Principal Secretary SSEPD.
MoU was signed between the SSEPD Department and Sightsavers India, a national-level development organisation working for the empowerment of PwDs.
Principal Secretary, SSEPD, Bishnupada Sethi assured the government’s cooperation in all activities envisaged in the MoU. He emphasized that community participation should be adhered to in the welfare programs in all convergence efforts.
The bilateral MoU will be in force for 3 years. Within the collaborative partnership, technical support will be provided at both State and district levels in the fields of preparing the PwD database, skill development programs and strengthening PwD’s livelihood aspects.
Sightsavers India will actively support SSEPD in sensitizing stakeholders, facilitating self-defence training, establishing a computer training centre and collaborating on inclusive eye health services. The partnership aligns with SDG for 2030, focusing on the inclusion of disabilities in various targets and indicators.
Dillip Kumar Ray, Special Secretary and other senior officers of the Department were present on the occasion while Sanyaashee Behera, Deputy Secretary, SSEPD and Prasanna Kumar, Director (Program Operations), Sightsavers India were the signatories in the MoU.
