Separate Dept for mentally challenged asked
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, December 18 2014: All Manipur Mentally Handicapped Persons' Welfare Organisation (AMMHPWO) today urged the State Government to set up a 'separate Government Department' for persons with intellectual disabilities.

A regular Commissioner for the mentally challenged people should be appointed by the Government for now, demanded AMMHPWO general secretary Y Ibechoubi Devi at a press meet.

A long term policy, a separate department, a Commissioner and budget, and a Court for persons with intellectual disabilities were some of the other key demands raised by Ibechoubi.

AMMHPWO has been taking up various projects for the handicapped people since its inception in early 1990s.It has so far established a BB Paul Mentally Retarded Home, several vocational training centres with hostel facilities, besides providing diploma courses in special education for mentally challenged persons.

The diploma course has been recognised by Rehabilitation Council of India, New Delhi and also approved by the National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped, Secunderabad.

Ibechoubi said such diploma courses should be provided by the State Government, which has refused to realize its importance till now.

"We've appealed to the Government many times to introduce the course.

Still, the Government is yet to accept the proposal," she said.

Many students representing the handicapped body have won medals in several National sports events, but the State Government has always turned down incentive awards to them, she added.

"We're upset over the State Government's attitude towards the mentally retarded people.

It has always refused to give any incentive award to the talented players among mentally challenged persons," she said expressing regret.

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