Sunday, July 31 2005 11:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: First time in the country, dwarf persons have been included in the category of orthopaedic ally handicapped in Andhra Pradesh, which will give them reservation in government jobs, free ride in buses, rail travel concessions and other facilities.

"Finally, dwarfs have been conferred the status of physically handicapped persons and it is a boon for 50,000-population of little people living in the state," Disabled Welfare Commissioner R Sunder Vadan told sources in Hyderbad.

"As per the decision of the state Government, now dwarfs can avail three per cent reservation being given to disabled persons in government jobs and educational institutions," he said.

"Now dwarfs are also eligible to get benefits like bus passes, rail concessions, disabled pensions, scholarships, marriage incentive awards, fair price shops, housing and financial assistance," said Sunder Vadan.

The dwarf persons' inclusion in the category of orthopaedic ally handicapped was decided by permanent disability and physical impairment, the commissioner said.