Addressing a gathering at a function organised by the National Blind Federation of Haryana Branch to mark the 199th birth anniversary of Louis Braille at Panchayat Bhawan here today, Hooda said the Haryana government had earmarked a sum of Rs 52.92 crore for the welfare of handicapped in the state during the current financial year. Other members of the committee included the Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretaries of Finance, Social Welfare and Education.

He said that the committee would consider the demands of the blind and suggest the ways and means to adjust them in various departments.

Hooda termed the demand of the cane weavers to regularise them as genuine as they were working as such for the last 20 years on retainership basis. He also assured that the backlog of vacancies meant for the blind would be filled up soon, as the Haryana government had already provided jobs to 232 blind during the last 33 months.