Deaf Today: Govt's balm for deaf and mute

June 23, 2004

Govt's balm for deaf and mute

From: E-Pao.net - Manipur,India - Jun 23, 2004

Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 23: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today inaugurated the buildings of Government Deaf and Mute School and Ideal Blind School at Welfare Complex, Takyelpat.

Speaking at the inaugural function as chief guest, the Chief Minister while endorsing the demands of the school authorities for constructing quarters for superintendents, hostels for boys and girls, boundary wall, etc assured that such structures would be constructed from the funds of ACA earmarked by the Planning Commission.

He also announced that the work for both the Deaf and Mute and the Blind Schools would be kept in the priority list of the ACA for thecurrent year.

Commenting on the financial crunch being faced by the State Government, Ibobi noted that the money released from different sources like North Eastern Council (NEC), Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources, etc for taking up development works could not be utilized fully for the specific purposes.

Supplementing his points, Ibobi said that once the money coming from different sources reach the State Exchequer its goes straight away in paying the salaries and pensions of the employees.

Since a huge amount is spent on meeting the salary demand of the employees, the Government cannot take up all the proposed developmental projects, he maintained.

The State of Meghalaya, which has a similar population and size with Manipur has only around 35,000 employees while our State which has no resources of its own has over 90,000 employees, the Chief Minister observed, while reiterating that this has a debilitating impact on the State's annual budget.

Expressing concern for the future of the disabled students, the Chief Minister urged the authorities of both the schools to prepare self-sustainable projects so that the students can find self employment and become financially independent after passing out from the schools.

He also appealed to the people to extend their help towards ameliorating the plight of the disabled students.

The Chief Minister also gave away biscuits and other eatables to the students.

In his presidential address, Minister of State for Social Welfare D Korungthang informed that the block building meant for the Blind School would be constructed very soon.

He also assured the authorities of the twin schools for looking into their demands.

Korungthang further disclosed that National Programme for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities has already been implemented in three districts of the State namely, Imphal East, Imphal West and Ukhrul.

The programme would also be taken up in other districts in due course of time, he added.

Lamenting that various developmental works could not be taken up owing to various disrupting factors, the Minister appealed to the people to foil the designs of such disruptive forces.