Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot announced to set up a national- level institute in Gujarat focusing on treatment and development of mentally challenged persons.
He was addressing a workshop under the Center’s Accessible India Campaign at Ahmedabad, Mr. Gehlot said, the institution will have various facilities related to treatment, training, and skill development for mentally challenged people.
He said, his Ministry has completed the formalities on using “divyang” as the term for differently-able persons after a call for the same was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in ‘Mann Ki Baat’. Mr. Gehlot said, four cities of Gujarat are among 50 selected by his ministry under the Accessible India Program 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, and sign language and toilet facilities, among other things which are disabled-friendly.
Speaking on this occasion, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said, differently-able persons in the state will no longer be required to renew their certificates as they will now remain valid for life time. Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Pal Gurjar said, Central government will issue a universal ID cards for them which will be valid across the country.