Gandhinagar, March 13 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, has taken a significant step towards enhancing mobility for persons with disabilities by distributing motorised tricycles and joystick wheelchairs valued at Rs 36.7 crore to 5,676 individuals statewide. This initiative aims to alleviate the physical challenges faced during daily travel.

During an event held in Gandhinagar, CM Patel presented these assistive devices to approximately 40 beneficiaries symbolically, while the remaining individuals from 34 districts will receive their devices as part of this program.

The distribution comprises 4,000 motorised tricycles and 1,676 joystick-operated wheelchairs.

This initiative is executed by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department of the state, forming part of their assistive device support program for persons with disabilities.

A total of Rs 60 crore has been earmarked for this scheme in the 2025-26 state budget.

While interacting with beneficiaries at the event, CM Patel emphasized that these new devices would empower individuals with disabilities to engage in daily tasks with greater ease and independence, facilitating smoother transitions from one location to another.

"These devices will significantly lessen the physical strain previously associated with hand-driven mobility aids," he remarked.

Prior to the rollout of motorised tricycles and joystick wheelchairs, beneficiaries under the 'Divyang Assistive Device Assistance' scheme were equipped with hand-operated tricycles and conventional wheelchairs.

Officials noted that these earlier versions demanded more physical effort and often created challenges for long-distance travel.

The Chief Minister also declared modifications to the financial assistance provided under the joystick wheelchair scheme.

To promote mobility for those with locomotor disabilities, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and multiple disabilities, the budget for folding joystick wheelchairs has been raised to Rs 1.10 lakh, superseding the budget for basic joystick wheelchairs this year.

Furthermore, the state has reduced the eligibility age for financial assistance for individuals with muscular dystrophy from 18 years to 10 years, allowing younger patients to receive support sooner.

Patel added that the Social Justice and Empowerment Department has been directed to implement a saturation strategy to ensure that all eligible individuals with disabilities in the state have access to government-provided assistive devices.