Disability Certificates Now Available at Taluka Level in Maharashtra

Pune, 21st January 2025: The Maharashtra Government has taken a significant step to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities (PwDs) by making disability certificates available at the taluka level. This new initiative will allow PwDs to obtain their certificates at 100-bed sub-district hospitals, bringing the service closer to those who need it most.

Under this new system, a committee of district-level specialists will be formed to oversee the certification process. The Health Department has instructed all Deputy Directors of Health Services, District Surgeons, and District Hospitals to implement this approach. To address pending applications, special camps will be organized on the second and fourth Fridays of each month.

This move is part of a broader effort to integrate PwDs into mainstream society. The government has mandated online disability certificates for all 21 categories of disabilities recognized by law. These certificates will be valid throughout India and will serve as a single, comprehensive document for identification and verification of disability status.

The new system offers several benefits to PwDs. It will provide easier access to various government schemes and benefits, eliminate the need for multiple copies of documents, and allow for better tracking of beneficiaries’ progress at all levels of implementation. By streamlining the certification process, the government aims to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and enhance the quality of life for persons with disabilities across Maharashtra.

Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar, had earlier announced this decision at the Purple Jallosh event organized by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and Divyang Bhavan, aimed at mainstreaming the differently-abled and encouraging them. At that time, Pawar also announced a 50% concession in property tax.