Bhubaneswar: The Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Department has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sightsavers India, a national-level development organisation, to empower PwDs in Odisha.
Gracing the MoU signing ceremony, Minister of SSEPD Ashok Chandra Panda said Odisha Government looks forward to productive outcomes through different collaborations and convergence with other departments and civil society organisations.
Deputy Secretary of SSEPD Sanyaashee Behera and Director (Program Operations) of Sightsavers India Prasanna Kumar signed the MoU at Loka Seva Bhawan in the presence of the Minister and Principal Secretary of SSEPD Bishnupada Sethi.
The Principal Secretary assured the government’s cooperation in all activities envisaged in the MoU. He emphasised 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.
Special Secretary Dillip Kumar Ray and other senior officers of the department were present on the occasion.
