New Delhi: The Planning Commission today said
it will set up an expert group to assess the needs of the
physically challenged and come out with a status report.
"As part of the mid-term appraisal (of the 11th Five-Year
Plan 2007-12), I am setting up a special mechanism (expert
group) which can consult with them (physically challenged) and
we will bring before the government the status position,"
Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia told
reporters here today.
Whatever recommendations had been made in the 11th Five-
Year Plan for the disabled should be implemented, he said
after a delegation from the National Association of the Deaf
(NAD)called on him accusing the government of neglecting the
welfare of the disabled besides failing to take measures as
promised.
"I think they have issues, they wanted to review the
promises made. Today is the World Disability Day. In the 11th
Plan for the first time certain recommendations have been
made. It is their view that not enough has been done. Whatever
has not been done should be done," he said.
Ahluwalia said the country needed one universal design
institute and also an institute for sign languages and he
would take up the matter with the ministries concerned.
"They have raised a special focus on the universal design
institute and also an institute for for sign language. I think
that India needs these things. I have promised them that we
will talk to the ministry concerned and we should do this," he
said.
-PTI