Gujarat CM Distributes Assistive Devices to Enhance Mobility for Persons with Disabilities

In a significant move to enhance mobility for individuals with disabilities, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has distributed motorised tricycles and joystick wheelchairs worth Rs 36.7 crore to 5,676 beneficiaries. This initiative aims to reduce physical strain and promote independence in daily activities. The program, implemented by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, includes a budget allocation of Rs 60 crore for the upcoming fiscal year. Changes in financial assistance and eligibility criteria have also been introduced to ensure that more individuals can access these vital resources. Read on to discover how this initiative is transforming lives across Gujarat.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 13, 2026, 14:24 IST

Empowering Individuals with Disabilities in Gujarat

Gandhinagar, March 13: On Friday, Gujarat's Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched an initiative to distribute motorised tricycles and joystick wheelchairs valued at Rs 36.7 crore to 5,676 individuals with disabilities throughout the state. This effort aims to enhance mobility and alleviate the physical challenges associated with daily commuting.

During a ceremony in Gandhinagar, the chief minister symbolically presented assistive devices to approximately 40 recipients, while the remaining individuals from 34 districts will receive their devices as part of this initiative.

The distribution includes 4,000 motorised tricycles and 1,676 joystick-operated wheelchairs.

This program is executed by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department of the state, as part of its support initiative for individuals with disabilities.

In the state budget for 2025-26, a total of Rs 60 crore has been earmarked for this scheme.

While engaging with beneficiaries at the event, CM Patel emphasized that the introduction of motorised tricycles and joystick wheelchairs would empower individuals with disabilities to perform daily tasks with increased independence and facilitate easier movement.

He remarked, "These devices will significantly lessen the physical effort that was previously necessary for operating hand-driven mobility aids."

Prior to the rollout of motorised tricycles and joystick wheelchairs, beneficiaries under the 'Divyang Assistive Device Assistance' scheme were provided with hand-operated tricycles and conventional wheelchairs.

Officials noted that these earlier models required more physical exertion and often made long-distance travel challenging.

The chief minister also revealed modifications to the financial support structure under the joystick wheelchair scheme.

To facilitate mobility for individuals with locomotor disabilities, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and multiple disabilities, the assistance amount for folding joystick wheelchairs has been raised to Rs 1.10 lakh, replacing the simpler joystick wheelchairs in the current budget.

Additionally, the state government has lowered the eligibility age for financial assistance for beneficiaries with muscular dystrophy from 18 years to 10 years, enabling younger patients to receive support sooner.

Patel further instructed the Social Justice and Empowerment Department to adopt a comprehensive approach to ensure that no eligible individual with a disability in the state is left without access to government-provided assistive devices.