Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot said his Ministry has completed the formalities. (File photo)
Gujarat will get a national- level institute focusing on treatment and development of differently-abled persons, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot said today. The minister made the announcement while speaking at the inaugural event of a workshop under Centre's Accessible India Campaign.
Gujarat Social Justice and Empowerment minister Ramanlal Vora had made a demand for such a centre to the Central government.
"Ramanbhai Vora has asked for something...let me announce that Centre will provide all support and will work towards setting up a national institute and Gujarat will get it soon," he said.
The institution will have various facilities related to treatment, training, skill development of mentally challenged people, he said.
Mr Gehlot said his Ministry has completed the formalities on using "divyang" as the term for differently-abled persons after a call for the same was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his radio show 'Mann Ki Baat'.
"People have accepted the term 'divyang' for differently-abled persons after the call made by the Prime Minister. And therefore, my ministry has also completed the formality on nomenclature 'divyang'," he said.
He said four Gujarat cities are among 50 selected by his ministry under the Accessible India Programme where 100 buildings in each city will be made disabled-friendly.
"The four cities selected in Gujarat are Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot and Surat. In the first phase, 100 buildings will be identified in each city which will get ramp, lift, sign language and toilet facilities, among other things which are disabled-friendly," the minister said.
He praised 'BJP-ruled states' for being forthcoming in implementing Centre's programmes for the differently-abled.
"BJP-ruled states have implemented our programmes primarily. We have also decided to set up national sports centre at five places across the country. We will also provide financial aid and loans for sports centres at district level with the help of state governments," he said.
Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, on the occasion, announced that differently-abled persons in the state will no longer be required to renew their certificates as they will now remain valid for life time.
Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Pal Gurjar said the Central government will issue a universal ID card for them which will be valid across the country.
"They (physically challenged people) face difficulties in getting the certificates. Also, the ID card is not valid from one state to another. So, our government has decided that we will make a universal ID card for divyangs. They are being rolled out in 11 states including Gujarat," he said.