The Odisha government has instructed all districts to speed up disability assessments to ensure timely issuance of Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards.
In an official letter dated July 21, the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SS&EPD) directed officials to conduct regular Medical Board meetings and fast‑track pending applications. The move follows a communication from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) highlighting delays in disability assessment and re‑verification, particularly for government employees with disabilities.
According to the latest UDID portal data, 13,32,415 applications have been registered in Odisha. Of these, 9,73,344 cards have been generated, while 3,14,721 applications were rejected. However, 44,350 applications remain pending at various stages of processing.
The department emphasised that genuine Persons with Disabilities should not face unnecessary inconvenience. Officials have been instructed to deploy adequate specialists, hold Medical Board sittings regularly, and prioritise pending cases so that UDID cards are issued within the prescribed timeline.
The SS&EPD has also sought an Action Taken Report from districts on measures implemented to clear backlogs. The directive underscores the state’s commitment to ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in disability services.
