Government considering 'manufacturing centres' for rehabilitation of the disabled

JAIPUR: The central government is considering setting up design and manufacturing centres in the country for the disabled.

"Presently, the number of individuals with physical challenges is expected to be more than 3.5 crores in the country but technological issues pertaining to design and manufacturing of rehabilitative system for the physically-challenged has not received attention," Science and Technology Secretary Ashutosh Sharma today said.

The Ministry is considering setting up design and manufacturing centres in the country for the disabled, a statement quoting Sharma said.

"It is proposed to bring technology, medical institutions and industry together on a platform through a programme," he said.

A ministerial team headed by Sharma also visited the Jaipur Foot manufacturing center of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti ( BMVSS) here to understand details of the manufacturing process of the popular artificial limb, the statement said.

The limb has benefited over 1.5 million persons in India and abroad, it said.

A team of students and faculty of Boston University in United States had also visited the center at Malviya Nagar area of the city last month.