The Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Tawarchand Gehlot has assured all assistance from the Centre for ensuring empowerment of handicapped persons in Kerala. Talking to newspersons in Kerala after having talks with State Chief Minister Shri. Oommen Chandy, he said that a subsidy of Rs.2500 would be made available to the state by the Centre for providing motorized tricycle for persons having eighty per cent disability. He said for the tricycle which costs about Rs. 35000, the rest of the amount can be met through Corporate Social Responsibility Fund or through MPLAD fund. The Union Minister said for Cochlear Implant for children the Centre is now giving Rs. Six lakhs per child and if needed this can be increased.
Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Shri. Tawarchand Gehlot holding talks with Kerala Chief Minister Shri. Oommen Chandy in Thiruvananthapuram on 28-11-2015 Gehlot pointed out that the Centre is giving top priority for the empowerment of disabled persons and a number of projects are underway in this regard. He also said that the Centre has earmarked Rs. 1700 for elevating the National Institute for Speech and Hearing (NISH) at Akkulam in Thiruvananthapuram to a University in ten years.
The Minister said Rs. 485 crore would be spent in the first phase. And the classes will begin in the next academic year. About four thousand students could be taught and given training here in speech and hearing.Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Shri. Tawarchand Gehlot visiting the National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH) at Aakulam in Thiruvananthapuram on 28-11-2015, which is being developed into a University.Earlier in the morning, the Union Minister went to NISH complex and visited various departments of the Institute including audiometry , computer lab and cochlear implant unit . He also interacted with the students and faculty of NISH and assured them all possible help for realising the university at the earliest. Former Union Cabinet Secretary and State Planning Board Vice Chairman Shri. K.M. Chandrasekhar and NISH Director Shri. G. Vijayaraghavan also accompanied the Minister.