Uttarakhand to give dole to 145 short people across state

NAINITAL: Setting an example for the rest of the country, the Uttarakhand directorate of social welfare has identified 145 people less than four feet in height across 12 districts of the state and will be giving them financial assistance of Rs 800 a month. The eligible short persons need to be at least 21 years old.

The identification process is still going on in Udham Singh Nagar because of the more complex logistics involved in that district, officials told TOI on Saturday. The district has one of the largest populations in the state and is a business hub. As it borders Uttar Pradesh, people freely move to and from from the district.

In June this year, in an unprecedented step, the Uttarakhand government had proposed financial assistance for adults in the state shorter than four feet, as they "face a lot of difficulties in their day-to-day lives". The decision was taken in a departmental meeting presided over by chief minister Harish Rawat on June 3. A letter dated June 22 was sent to all districts by the social welfare department asking that a list of all eligible people in their respective zones be prepared on a priority basis.

Vishnu Singh Dhanik, director of social welfare, said, "Twelve districts have submitted their data, while Udham Singh Nagar will be submitting it soon. Eligible residents from all the districts will be paid a monthly assistance of Rs 800."

Tehri district tops the list so far, with 36 such people, followed by Pauri (25), Uttarkashi (19), Nainital (19), Rudraprayag (12), Almora (9), Pithoragarh (8), Champawat (5), Dehradun (4), Haridwar (4) and Bageshwar (4), according to officials.

"As soon as we get the data from Udham Singh Nagar, it will be sent to higher authorities for further implementation. I hope this scheme will at least be of some assistance to these people," Dhanik added.

According to doctors, there might be more than 200 distinct medical conditions responsible for the occurrence of dwarfism, including hormonal imbalance. No sure-shot cure is available for the condition till date.