A project to provide livelihood to differently abled people by selling palm products will be launched on Wednesday

The State Government will launch on New Year’s Day Wednesday a unique program for people with disabilities to earn money by selling palm products.

Those who have different abilities will be able to sell palm products in centers called ‘IDAM (Initiative of Differently Abled Movement) Point’ that will be introduced throughout the Kingdom, said the Minister of Social Justice R. Bindu in a statement on Tuesday.

The program will initially be launched in selected areas with commercial potential in Thiruvananthapuram city limits.

Dr. Bindu will launch the ‘IDAM Point’ program in front of the Sports Council office (behind Secretariat South Block) here at 11 am on Wednesday. Industry Minister P. Rajeeve will hand over the keys of 12 shops in the Corporation limits.

IDAM is launched by Kerala State Palmyrah Products Development and Workers’ Welfare Corporation (KELPALM) and Kerala State Handicapped Persons Welfare Corporation. to improve the lives of people with different disabilities, said Dr. Bindu.

Palm candy, palm jaggery, various types of juices, nongu (snow apple) sarbath, chukkukaapi (dry ginger coffee) will be some of the main products available in these shops. Apart from this, products made by those with different capabilities and other quality products, including milk, will be available at these retail outlets, which will be built in high-selling areas and within reach of customers.

Kerala State Handicapped Persons Welfare Corporation will provide loans to selected beneficiaries. KELPALM will repay the loan and interest. Those allotted tables need to pay a fixed monthly rent.

If the space is given to local bodies or other government agencies, applications for those spaces, prepared list of positions, and stalls allocated on their basis will be called. KELPALM will provide the necessary support in running the tables, said Dr. Bindu.

This model will be replicated across the Government to provide livelihood opportunities to as many different people as possible, he said.

The move has been announced as part of the state government’s 100-day plan.