February 21, 2002

'10'

SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY BALCKLISTS FOUR NGOs AND STOPS GRANT TO NINE OTHERS

    The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has blacklisted four NGOs and stopped grant to nine others for non-satisfactory performance. This was disclosed by the Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya while addressing the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his ministry here today. He said that steps will be taken for the recovery of funds given to blacklisted NGOs. The Minister said that 293 NGOs were inspected during the last two years and the performance of 270 NGOs was found satisfactory. He said that 50 per cent of disability is preventable with early intervention . Dr. Jatiya suggested setting up of Helpline for the Disabled to reach the physically challenged persons in need of urgent help. He also stressed the need for creating awareness among the people with disabilities to avail the facilities being provided under the three Acts to tackle various kinds of disabilities.

    The meeting was told that the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, ALIMCO, has during the last financial year achieved an all time record turn over with highest ever production and sales. It provided 8.20 lakh aids and appliances to the disabled through various organisations and institutions. The Corporation held camps where aids and appliances were directly distributed either free of cost or with a 50 per cent rebate under the Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons. Rs. 41 crore have been released so far under the Scheme. ALIMCO organised special camps exclusively for women in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Ministry has released 90 percent of the Rs.100 crore corpus fund to the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy and Autism. The Trust has setup 240 local level committees at the district level to address issuing relating to guardianship of the disabled.

    The Social Justice & Empowerment Secretary, Shri C. Gopal Reddy informed the meeting that the Ministry has this year setup National Programme for the Persons with Disabilities to create a service delivery system from the Gram Panchayat level upwards to provide comprehensive rehabilitation service at the doorstep of persons with disability. The National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation has provided loans to about 8,200 persons with disabilities through the State Channelising Agencies. The Meeting was told that the Chief Commissioner (Disabilities) with State Commissioners is making efforts for creating a barrier free environment in public utility buildings and various mode of public transports in the country.

    The MPs attending the meeting called for raising the income ceiling for providing aids and appliances to the disabled free of cost. They also suggested that the Government must on its own find out persons with disabilities and issue them disability certificates. They also demanded strict action against the blacklisted NGOs. The Minister concurred with the last two suggestions and said that steps would be taken in this regard. The Meeting was attend by Shri Ramji Lal Suman and Shri Sukhdev Singh Libra, both MPs and senior officials of the ministry and various corporations and organisations under it.