Newmai News Network Shillong | May 2 The Centre has assured that Shillong will soon be home to a Composite Regional Centre for People with Disabilities (PWDs) which will create resources and infrastructure required for developing services for Meghalaya’s PWDs. This was assured by the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Thawarchand Gehlot when Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma had called on him in New Delhi on Wednesday. The Centre will function under the administrative control of National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities. Conrad informed that the meeting with the Union Minister was very positive and fruitful as the Central Government has assured full cooperation and support to organise two mega camps to distribute assistive aid to needy persons with disabilities in Shillong and Tura. As part of the Central Government initiative, a number of outreach programmes, capacity building and skill development programmes will be held in Meghalaya. Conrad also informed that comprehensive diagnostic assessment, therapeutic, educational and vocational services to persons with all disabilities will be conducted time to time with support from the centre. “Our Government is committed to work on overall development of persons with disabilities and provide them the much needed support. We will also provide sports amongst persons with disabilities and Government of India has assured to set up a Stadium for Persons with Disabilities,” Conrad informed. Meghalaya has an estimated 44,730 PWDs. “The State Government is trying to provide enabling support to help these vulnerable sections of our society,” he added.
