IMPHAL, March 24: The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot has announced that the Centre would try to open up an office for the commission of disabilities in the State during a press meet at the conference hall of 1st Manipur Riffles.
The Union Minister also said that the centre would send a team of doctor and experts to monitor and validate the number of persons with disabilities and to provide their respective certificates.
The press meet was organised pertaining with the union minister visit to state for attending the inaugural function of Composite camp and distribution of aid and assistive devices for PWDs at 1st MR Ground.
Addressing the media, he stated that the Centre is ready to provide an amount up to Rs 6 lakhs for supporting/buying hearing-aid or devices for children below 6 years of age who encounter hearing difficulties.
He added that this noble scheme was launched on December 3, 2014 at Mumbai for the first time in India. He further asked the people of the State to enquire and send their request to avail the opportunities provided by the centre.
Expressing his willingness to sanction money for setting up of 50 to 100 bedded Hostel for Other Backwards Classes, the union minister has said that the centre can assure funding if proposal are made by State government and proper utilisation of funds are ensured.
He also said that his ministry pays attention to setting up of a `Sport Centre` for persons with disabilities (PWDs) so as to enable the differently abled children participate and excel in different sporting events like Paralympics etc.
Replying a question, the minister said that the centre is ready to award scholarship for PWDs up to Rs 20 Lakhs for both pre and post-metric (PWDs), including those students desiring to study overseas.
However, he also added that the centre expects the amount to be transferred directly to beneficiaries account through the medium of bank so as to avoid any leakages or to avoid diversion of fund by any other opportunist in the process.
The press meet was also attended by State social welfare and cooperative minister AK Mirabai along with Union minister of state for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishna Paul Gurjar.