State-of-the-art sports centre for differently abled

The Centre has decided to set up five state-of-the-art national sports centres in the country for differently abled persons to enable them “effectively” compete and win medals in Paralympics, Deaflympics, Special Olympics and various other international sports events.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is also working on its plan to establish a national level rehabilitation centre in Madhya Pradesh for the persons with disability, suffering from severe disorders like down syndrome.

Out of five proposed sports centres, one each will be set up in Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh.

Meghalaya and Punjab governments have already given land for the establishment of the proposed sports centres while the process for identification of the location for the sports centres in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh and Vishakhapattanam in Andhra Pradesh was on.

“We had invited proposals from all states for the establishment of sports centres for divyangs (specially abled persons). These states evinced their interest and came forward,” Social Justice and Empowerment minister Thaawarchand Gehlot told reporters on Tuesday.

He, however, did not share the name of the fifth state where one of the five proposed sports centres is planned to be set up.

Gehlot was addressing a press conference organised to highlight the achievements of his ministry on the occasion of completion of four years of the Modi government.

For the establishment of a national-level rehabilitation centre, the minister said, the Madhya Pradesh government has already provided land in Bhopal.

“We will soon start the work for the establishment of the rehabilitation centre and try to complete it as early as possible,” the minister added.

Replying to a question, Gehlot reiterated government's stand on the Supreme Court's verdict on the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (prevention of atrocities) Act, 1989. He said the government had already filed a petition in the apex court seeking review of its order.

“We are ready to bring Ordinance or go to Parliament (proposing necessary amendments in the Act) if the apex court order does not come in our favour. Government is ready for it in principle. When the Act is valid, why should there be any restraint (in the implementation of its provisions),” he said.