University status to National Institute of Mentally Handicapped soon

Hyderabad: The National Institute of Mentally Handicapped is likely to become a full-fledged national university soon. Thawaar Chand Gehlot, the Union minister for social justice and empowerment, said that once a proposal was sent by the institute authorities, they would process the project.

Speaking at NIMH, his first public meeting after taking charge, Mr Gehlot promised a 100 to 120 member hostel for the differently-abled and a rehabilitation plus therapy centre, estimated at a budget of Rs 9 crore, to be set up at NIMH.

About 260 beneficiaries, identified from across the state based on income criteria, were given hearing aids, tricycles etc. costing Rs 15.37 lakh.

“Developing an adequate plan of action to meet the requirements for rehabilitation and empowerment, the enactment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill and repealing the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995, are my priorities,” said Mr Gehlot.

He also said that under the revised scheme, the cost ceiling for aids and appliances was Rs 10,000 for single disabilities and Rs 12,000 for others. Accessible mobile phones to visually impaired students and a subsidy of Rs 25,000 on motorised tricycles and wheelchairs had also been included.

“Cochlear implant has been included free of cost for 500 children with a ceiling amount of Rs 6 lakh per unit,” the minister said.