Government will help paraplegic rehab centre: Prakash Javadekar

Union minister Prakash Javadekar has promised help to the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre in Pune. The centre is meant for the aftercare of retired defence forces personnel who suffered spinal cord injuries while serving the nation. The institution was founded in 1974.

“The government will provide necessary financial support to Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, Khadki,” assured Mr Javadekar, who was talking at the celebration an event titled ‘70 Saal Azadi- Yaad Karo Kurbani’ at the rehabilitation centre on Sunday.

The Union minister also promised that the government would soon release funds, for which the centre had been waiting. The rehabilitation centre had been awaiting a grant of Rs 1.86 crore from the ministry of social justice and empowerment since 2009-10. It is also yet to receive Rs 75 lakh per year from the ministry of defence’s National Defence Fund since 2008-09. The rehabilitation centre is also in need of aid for development projects and wheelchairs for sportsmen among other things.

On the occasion, Mr Javadekar listed the development works his government has started, “Construction of roads along the China border was stuck due to environment clearances. Lack of roads has been major hurdle for transportation for defence. For the convenience of defence, we have revoked the condition of acquiring environment clearance for development works within 100km along the border. Now it will require general approval for construction activities.”

He also said that the government, in bid to commemorate freedom fighters, had planned programmes for 27 crore students across the state studying in 15 lakh schools, 38,000 colleges and 700 universities. The initiative began on August 9 and will be concluded on 11 am on August 23 with all students singing the national anthem.