VISAKHAPATNAM: The first regional sports complex for the differently-abled in South India, will be established in Visakhapatnam, said Union minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaavar Chand Gehlot. This would be the second among five regional sports complexes proposed to be established across the country with about Rs 10 crore each.
Distributing aids to differently-abled persons at Andhra University Grounds here Friday, the minister said that the Central government decided to create the five regional centres after witnessing the successful performance of the Indian teams in Paralympics and World Cup Cricket for visually impaired. He said that the regional sports complexes would have sports facilities for the differently-abled along with residential facility. A national institute for rehabilitation of the persons with mental disabilities would be set up in Nellore district. “Soon after the state government allocates the required land for the projects, we will commence the works,” Gehlot said.
The Union minister said that aids like hearing aids, artificial limbs, walking aids, wheel-chairs and tricycles worth about Rs 129 crore are being distributed among about 1,350 persons with physical disabilities through distribution camps. He distributed 16 motorised tricyles among the beneficiaries on the occasion. Gehlot said that the Central government was ready to bear the cost of Rs 6 lakh towards surgery and provide Cochlear implants to children less than six years age. He wanted the district administration to identify genuine cases and send the proposals to the Central government in this regard.
State HRD minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao said that a 20-acre land had been identified by the district administration for the sports complex at Thurluvada and the collector had already initiated necessary action to take up the issue with the Centre.
Union minister of Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs M Venkaiah Naidu said that the Central government was committed to the welfare of differently-abled persons and wanted the latter to continue the fight to reach new heights in life.