SHILLONG: Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr Thawarchand Ghelot has assured to set up Composite Regional Centre (CRC) for persons with disabilities (PWDs) at Shillong. The centre aims to create resources and infrastructure required for developing services for persons with disabilities in the State of Meghalaya.
The Union minister gave this assurance to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma who called on the former in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss on issues concerning persons with disability.
The CRC will function under the administrative control of National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities.
Sangma informed that the meeting with the Union Minister was very positive and fruitful as the Central Government had assured full cooperation and support to organise two mega camps to distribute assistive aid to needy persons with disabilities in Shillong and Tura.
As part of the Central Government initiative, a number of outreach programmes, capacity building and skill development programmes will be held in Meghalaya. The Chief Minister also informed that comprehensive diagnostic assessment, therapeutic, educational and vocational services to persons with all disabilities will be conducted time to time with support from the centre.
“Our Government is committed to work on overall development of persons with disabilities and provide them the must-needed support. We will also provide sports amongst persons with disabilities and Government of India has assured to set up a Stadium for Persons with Disabilities”, the Chief Minister informed.
Meghalaya is having an estimated 44,730 number of persons with disability. “State Government is trying to provide enabling support to help these vulnerable sections of our society”, the Chief Minister added.
Meeting with Minister for Labour and Employment
On the same day, Sangma called on Union Minister for Labour and Employment Santosh Kumar Gangwar in New Delhi to discuss on setting up of Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) – Hospital in the State.
The Chief Minister has submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister to set up the ESIC Hospital at Ri-Bhoi. The Union Minister has assured to look into the request made by the State Government.
ESIC – Hospital is an initiative of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, which provides advanced facilities for treatment for the beneficiaries.
The Chief Minister informed that the ESIC – Hospital would have 24×7 facilities for attention calls on insured persons and their family members, who wish to seek advice and guidance during casualty and emergency. It would also have a special OPD for senior citizens and differently abled persons. The AYUSH facilities would also be available at ESIC Hospital.