The Hindu : `Reach and Relief' scheme only on paper

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 29, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

`Reach and Relief' scheme only on paper

By Sahana Charan

BANGALORE Oct. 28. Columbus is a senior citizen, with a 27-year-old mentally retarded daughter. For him, applying for the guardianship of his daughter has been nothing short of a nightmare.

Dr. Columbus, who has opened a bank account in his daughter's name and wanted to nominate his wife as the guardian, encountered several hurdles. Even six months after submitting the application, the family has received no reply from the Government-appointed committee looking into the matter. While parents of severely disabled persons are concerned over the fate of their children after their death, voluntary organisations are often short of funds to provide adequate support to them.

The National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities was formed by the Centre to address these issues. Unfortunately, the relief schemes under the Trust are yet to be utilised in the State.

"Other legislation concerning people with disabilities highlight rights and equal opportunity. The National Trust Act focuses on care-giving and protection of these vulnerable groups and provides for long-term rehabilitation," Pradeep Kumar, Assistant Commissioner for Disabilities, told The Hindu.

The "Reach and Relief" scheme has been formulated to aid setting up of short stay homes and permanent stay institutions for orphan and destitute disabled persons, through NGOs or parents' associations. The Trust gives grant-in-aid to registered institutions to run the scheme, through their corpus fund of Rs.100 crores.

Another scheme of the Trust facilitates training of caregivers. Institutions are provided funds to train personnel who can go to the homes of the disabled people and give them personal care or train the parents to look after their needs and handle crisis situations.

The National Trust has taken up guardianship as one of its major concerns.

It was worried about the fate of severely disabled persons after their parents' death, as persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and multiple disabilities need constant and life long care.

The Trust enables appointment of guardians for the disabled persons for two purposes — personal and financial.

"However, awareness about the schemes of the Trust is very low. Till now only five orders have been passed in Bangalore (Urban) District for guardianship. Although many people might want to avail of the schemes, they do not know where to go," he said.

As of now, 23 district local level committees have been formed in the State.

But with only three people in the committee, who have to look into applications, screen the persons, and physically go and monitor the guardian's progress and even go through the expenditure statements, in the case of financial guardianship, there is delay in passing of orders.

But there is hope. "An informal State Co-ordination Committee has recently been formed to assist the local level committees, on the suggestion of the Karnataka Parent's Association of Mentally Retarded Citizens (KPAMRC). This might speed up matters," said Mr. Pradeep Kumar.

For details, contact Mr. Kumar at the Office of the Commissioner for Disabilities, Cox Town (ph: 5482659).

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