Baramulla, Dec 3: In a major concern, differently-abled people are being deprived of various centrally sponsored schemes in this north Kashmir district allegedly due to the non-seriousness of the concerned officials here.
 The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had approved the creation of District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC) in 49 districts of the Country. The aim of these centers was to provide comprehensive services to persons with disabilities.
 In Jammu and Kashmir, three centers of DDRC were sanctioned for three districts including Baramulla. A letter vide no 15-10-2004/DRC Dtd 24-03-2005 was dispatched to district collectors of these districts. However, authorities here failed to implement the scheme owing to non-availability of accommodation.
 “In the absence of such a centre in Kashmir, I was forced to send my son to a specially build centre at Dehradun, were all his needs including education are properly fulfilled” said Ghulam Hassan of Pattan.
 The non-implementation of the scheme has deprived hundreds of beneficiaries who could have been otherwise benefited to a great extent. The concerned authorities’ indifference has let down thousands of people with different disabilities in Baramulla.
 As per the recent survey conducted by the teachers of Sarva Shikshya Abhiyan ( which is part of their foundation course), there are 3700 children’s alone in Baramulla including Bandipora district in the age group of 6-14 with different disabilities like visual impairment, hearing impairment, loco motor impairment and mental retardation.
 “The survey has been carried out only for the children in particular age group. If the survey will be conducted for the other age groups also then the number will be high” said an official of SSA.
 The large chunk of disabled persons in Valley has given the rise to the need such centers.
 District Social Welfare Officer Baramulla Muhammad Asadullah said that the Centre will be soon started in Mother and Child Care Hospital Sopore.
 “We will hold interviews for the rehabilitation staff and the center will start functioning with a month” he added.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 3 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 3 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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