The Directorate of Social Welfare will conduct a series of awareness programmes across South Andaman under the Unique Disability ID (UDID) Scheme, aimed at improving access to government benefits for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) through a structured identification system.
The initiative, scheduled between April and May 2026, is being organised in collaboration with the Directorate of Health Services, Composite Regional Centre, and Child Development Project Office. Officials stated that the programme is designed to expand outreach and ensure that eligible beneficiaries are informed about the process and advantages of obtaining a UDID card.
The UDID Scheme seeks to establish a national-level database of Persons with Disabilities and issue a standardised identity card that enables streamlined access to government schemes, services, and entitlements. Authorities said that the awareness sessions will focus on educating participants about registration procedures, documentation requirements, and the role of the UDID card in accessing welfare measures.
Medical officers and subject experts will be present during the sessions to assist participants, provide guidance, and address queries related to disability certification and registration under the scheme. The involvement of multiple departments is aimed at ensuring coordinated service delivery and improved engagement with the target population.
According to the schedule released, the first awareness session will be held on April 2 at GB Pant Hospital from 10 am to 12 noon, followed by a session on April 8 at PHC Garacharma during the same time. On April 15, two sessions are planned at PHC Manglutan from 9 am to 10:30 am and at PHC Chouldari from 11 am to 12:30 pm.
Further sessions will take place on April 29 at PHC Tushnabad from 9 am to 10:30 am and at PHC Ferrargunj from 11 am to 12:30 pm. The programme will continue in May, with sessions scheduled on May 13 at PHC Bambooflat from 10 am to 12 noon and on May 20 at Ayush Hospital, Junglighat, during the same hours.
Officials have called upon Persons with Disabilities, their caregivers, and the general public to attend the sessions and utilise the opportunity to register under the UDID system. The outreach is intended to ensure wider inclusion of eligible beneficiaries and strengthen access to welfare services.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to improve service delivery mechanisms for Persons with Disabilities by integrating identification, data management, and benefit distribution under a unified platform. Authorities emphasised that increased participation in the awareness programmes will support more comprehensive coverage under the scheme.
