Yogi Adityanath calls for early empowerment of divyangs, UP pension hike soon
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, declared that physical disability must never stand as a barrier to talent, and announced that the state government would soon raise the pension for specially-abled persons. Speaking at an event in Gorakhpur organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and HURL Gorakhpur as part of the ongoing 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', the Chief Minister also distributed assistive devices to hundreds of beneficiaries.
Pension Hike on the Horizon
Chief Minister Adityanath traced the trajectory of the disability pension in Uttar Pradesh, noting that it was first raised from ₹300 to ₹500, then further to ₹1,000. He confirmed the state government would increase the amount once more in the coming days, though a specific figure was not disclosed at the event.
Assistive Devices and Digital Identity Drive
At the Gorakhpur event, the Chief Minister distributed 664 assistive devices to 509 persons with disabilities. He added that digital identities for over 1.7 million differently-abled individuals across Uttar Pradesh have been strengthened and identity cards issued — a move aimed at improving last-mile delivery of government benefits.
Early Intervention and Bachpan Day Care Centres
Adityanath emphasised that empowerment must begin in childhood, highlighting early screening, therapy, parental guidance, special education, and technical assistance as priorities. He said 'Bachpan Day Care Centres' — catering to children aged three to seven with hearing impairments, visual impairments, and intellectual disabilities — are being expanded. Currently 25 centres are operational across the state, with 28 new centres set to open.
Linking Divyangs to Government Schemes
The Chief Minister announced a target to connect differently-abled individuals with government schemes through camps to be organised in every assembly constituency of the state. He also said that textbooks have already been provided to many students with disabilities.
Inspiration from Icons of Resilience
Adityanath cited figures including Sage Ashtavakra, Surdas, Ravindra Jain, and mountaineer Arunima Sinha, as well as Paralympic athletes, to underscore his message that medals and achievement stem from spirit rather than physical condition alone. 'Talent requires opportunities, not pity. With the right resources and training, talent can reach the pinnacle of its potential,' he said. He also noted that true societal progress is measured not by infrastructure but by how effectively government benefits reach those at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. The announcements signal an intensified push by the Uttar Pradesh government on disability inclusion ahead of assembly constituency-level outreach camps.