Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment (SJ&E), Dr. Virendra Kumar, presided over the inauguration of services of Composite Regional Centre (CRC), Madurai and foundation stone laying ceremony for New Building of CRC Madurai today.
Senior officers from the M/o SJ&E, representatives from the Local Administration, National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD) Chennai, CRC-Madurai, State government officials, rehabilitation professionals, NGOs, PwDs and their parents were among those present on the occasion.
The Centre was established by M/o SJ&E, Government of India, for Skill Development, Rehabilitation, and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, in the temporary building provided by Government of Tamil Nadu at Tamil Nadu Housing Board, Villapuram, Madurai in December 2023.
The Government of Tamil Nadu allocated 5.05 acres of land in Y. Pudupatti, Madurai, for the construction of the CRC building. The new CRC Madurai building will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 36.41 crores which includes various blocks, such as the Service and Programme, Administrative Building, Classrooms for HRD Programs, Cross Disabilities Early Intervention Centre (CDEIC) Unit and will feature a universally designed structure with barrier-free access for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
The facility will serve the southern region of Tamil Nadu. This landmark initiative underscores the government’s commitment to empowering PwDs through skill development and rehabilitation, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all.
As part of the programme the Union Minister distributed 186 aids and assistive devices to 120 beneficiaries an amount worth of Rs.22,63,000/- under the Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) scheme. During the visit, Dr. Virendra Kumar also visited the Nasha Mukti Kendra in Madurai, where he interacted with the youth undergoing treatment and counselling at the center.