To provide equal educational opportunities to persons with disabilities, Haryana Government has decided to establish a college for deaf and mute children at Karnal at a cost of `20 crore. This would be the first such college to be established in north India.
Apart from this, State Institute of Skill Development and Employment Generation would be also be set up under the Central Government’s scheme for generating employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment (Independent Charge), Krishan Kumar on Wednesday said that Chief Minister Manohar lal, had accorded in-principle approval to this effect.
The Minister said that schools for deaf and mute children are being operated by the Haryana Welfare Society for Hearing and Speech Handicapped, Panchkula at Karnal, Hisar, Raipur Rani, Sonipat, Gurugram and Panchkula. There are about 3,925 such children in the state, of which 1,865 are hearing impaired and 2,060 are speech impaired, he added.
He said that the cost of construction of the college, which is to be established in Sector 9, Karnal, would be borne equally by Central and State Governments. The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has given approval to this effect. The project is being undertaken as per an announcement made by the Chief Minister earlier, he added.
The Minister said that internship training in skill development for up to three months would be provided to the students, apart from monthly financial assistance of `2,000.
Screening committee would be constituted under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary of Social Justice and Empowerment Department to review applications received from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for operating the college, said he.
Members of the committee included Director Generals of Higher Education, Health Services, labour, Employment, Agriculture and Women and Child Development Departments, apart from Deputy Commissioner, Karnal. Director General, Social Justice and Empowerment Department would serve as Member Secretary.