Composite centre for disabled soon in J&K

By Our Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR JUNE 29. The first Composite Regional Centre (CRC) in India, for persons with disabilities, will come up in Srinagar at a cost of around Rs. 1 crore. A three-day camp which will help over 2500 disabled persons was inaugurated here today.

The foundation for the CRC was laid by the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ms. Maneka Gandhi, here on Thursday. Ms. Gandhi said this would be the first of the six centres in India spread over 40 kanals of land provided by the J&K Government. Among the special features of the CRC would be a barrier-free building friendly to persons with disabilities.

The centre is temporarily functioning in the building of the SK Institute of Medical Sciences. It will take three years for its own building to be completed. Services at the CRC include early detection, intervention and prevention, rehabilitation services, mobility aids, assistance devices, special education services, psycho-social rehabilitation, vocational training and employment, creation of awareness and consultancy to NGOs.

Ms. Gandhi inaugurated the composite rehabilitation camp and exhibition organised by her Ministry in collaboration with the J&K Government. The camp will provide assistance devices for all disabilities apart from corrective surgeries. ``More than 2500 persons with disabilities are expected to benefit from the camp in terms of corrective surgeries, fitment and provision of assistance devices'' said the State Minister for Social Welfare, Mr. Bashir Ahmed Kitchloo.

The exhibition in Srinagar will display a range of assistance devices. It is estimated that five per cent or about 50 million persons in India are suffering from some disability. In Kashmir, the ongoing turmoil has contributed to this in a big way. The Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who was the chief guest, said the CRC as well as the camp would go a long way in providing succour to the suffering people in the Valley. During the last ten years, the militancy had added to the number of disabled persons.

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Section  : Other States
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