Jharkhand is set to have its first residential centre for mentally challenged children. The plan is presently in the pipeline. The Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS) has come forward to open the centre equipped with basic facilities exclusively for the children. According to sources, residential centres for such specially abled children under ‘Gharaunda’ and ‘Samarth Centre’ are not functioning in Jharkhand. It is supposed to be established under the guidelines of National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities.
“Since the inception of the State, no Government has taken initiative in running Gharaunda scheme. Samarth centres existing in three districts involving Ranchi and Hazaribagh failed to sustain as Government was responsible to take the charge from a stakeholder after eight or 10 years,” mentioned sources from social organisations.
“In such circumstances it becomes difficult for us to manage a full-time rehabilitation home because premiere institutes like Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP) and RINPAS are also devoid of such accommodation,” added sources. Meanwhile, though RINPAS has planned but it will take around two years for the execution.
“The residential as well as day care centre for mentally disabled children will be the first of its kind in Jharkhand. There will be 50 beds for girls and 50 beds for boys. Budget for each gender section is Rs4 crore. We are yet to find location and manpower for the functioning. It will take two years to take off the concept,” RINPAS Director Dr Amool Ranjan said.
The list of manpower would include specialist for Special Education, Vocational Psychology, Physiotherapy and Speech therapy. RINPAS has completed the formalities for tender of the plan. like adult patients in RINPAS, children will also be admitted at free of cost. Jharkhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (JSCPCR) is also willing to request the newly framed Government under CM Raghubar Das to focus on the need.
Chairperson of the Commission, Roop laxmi Munda informed they have marked the matter in their ‘Action Plan’ which is to be presented before the Social Welfare Minister lois Marandi after February 15. “We need the assistance of Government and civil societies for approving the action plan. It is highly required,” said the Chairperson.
Munda and Child Welfare Committee members often come across problems when rescued mentally challenged children or those referred from other districts are in need of a 24 hour service home. In August 2014, a 10-year-old boy rescued from a street of Jamtara district was referred to Ranchi wherein officials had to run from pillar to post. NGOs and RINPAS denied admitting the child as they lacked assistants. later, RINPAS admitted the boy when an assistant was provided from district social welfare department.