SOCIAL WELFARE AND EDUCATION OF THE HANDICAPPED AND THE DISPLACED
Social Welfare Central Social Welfare Board.-The Central Social Welfare Board was set up by a Government of India Resolution on 12th August, 1953 under the administrative control of this Ministry. One of the main objects of the Board is to assist voluntary social welfare orga- nisations in maintaining and developing their existing activities and in initiating new services, and to coordinate these activities into the general pattern of the Five-Year Plan. The Board also establishes Welfare Extension Projects in rural areas, urban Family Welfare Projects and undertakes the training of gramsevikas, midwives etc, for its Welfare Extension Projects.
Against the budget provision of Rs. 1,75,00,000, the revised estimates of the Board for the current financial year stand at Rs. 1,50,00,000. Provision of a sum of Rs. 200 lakhs has been made in the budget for the next financial year for the Board's activities.
The Board has added during 1958-59, 50 new Welfare Extension Projects, bringing the total to 532. The Board also sanctioned grants-in-aid to 525 institutions to the tune of Rs. 15,56,056 up to 30th September, 1958.
Meetings of Committees on the Education of the Handicapped and Advisory Board on Social Welfare.-Provision of a sum of Rs. 10,000 exists in the budget for the current financial year for covening meetings of committees on the education of the handicapped and the Advisory Board on Social Welfare.
A meeting of the National Advisory Council for the Education of the Handicapped that advises the Government of India on all problems concerning the education and welfare of the handicapped was held during the period under report. A meeting of the Advisory Board on Social Welfare whose main function is to advise the Government of India regarding grants to be paid to suitable institutions for undertaking research projects in approved social fields is expected to be held shortly.
Provision of a sum of Rs. 14,000 has been made in the budget for 1959-60 for this purpose.
Grants-in-Aid for Research Projects in Social Welfare.-On the advice of the Advisory Board on Social Welfare, grants are given to
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non-university institutions interested in social work for carrying out research projects in approved social fields. Against the existing provision of Rs. 37,600 a sum of Rs. 40,000 has been provided in the budget for the next financial year.
Under this scheme financial assistance has been given to four institutions during the period under report.
Assistance to Voluntary Organisations for Child Welfare.-Provi- sion of a sum of Rs. 1,41,000 exists in the budget for the current financial year for giving grants under the broader scheme of 'Assis- tance to Voluntary Educational Organisations' to child welfare organ- isations for purposes for which the Central Social Welfare Board cannot assist. These purposes include the construction of large buildings, convening of seminars and conferences, etc. During the year under review assistance was given to two Institutions. Provision of a sum of Rs. 1,41,000 has been made for the purpose in the budget for 1959-60.
Ad hoc Grants to Institutions Conducting Training and Research In Social Work and to Institutions for the Handicapped.-Under this scheme ad hoc grants are given to institutions imparting training in social work, or generally promoting social work and to institutions for the handicapped. These grants are normally in the shape of maintenance grants.
Assistance has been given under this scheme to five institutions during the current financial year out of the existing provision of a gum of Rs. 4 lakhs. Provision of a sum of Rs. 3.5 lakhs has been made in the budget for 1959-60 for this scheme.
Education of the Handicapped Voluntary Organisations for the Handicapped.-Provision of a sum of Rs. 2,82,000 exists in the budget for 1958-59 for giving grants to voluntary organisations for the handicapped under the broader scheme, of "Assistance to Voluntary Educational Organisations". Grants are given to institutions for the handicapped for developing their existing services or for initiating new ones.
During the current financial year assistance has been given to eight institutions. An enhanced provision of Rs. 3.5 lakhs has been made in the next year's budget in order to give increased assistance to deserving institutions for the handicapped.
Model School for Blind Children, Dehra Dun.-The Scheme of establishing a Model School for Blind Children consisting of a Kindergarten section, a Primary and a Secondary sections and a Teachers' Training department was included in the Second Plan.
The Kindergarten and Primary sections of the School were inaugurated on 4th January, 1959. At present the School that has been started in a hired building at Dehra Dun has accommodation for 50 children. With the establishment of the Secondary section during 1959-60 the number of children is expected to go up to 100. No specific budget provision exists in the budget for the current financial year for the purpose and expenditure on starting the school during this year is being met from savings from the funds intended for conducting short-term regional courses for teachers of the blind. Provision of a sum of Rs. 1,47,000 has been made in the budget for 1959-60 for the admi- nistration and expansion of the School.
Short-Term Regional Courses for Teachers of the Blind.-A pro- vision of a sum of Rs. 94,000 exists in the budget for 1958-59 for conducting short-term training courses for teachers of the blind Pending the establishment of the Model School for Blind Children. that will eventually have a Teachers' Training Department it was proposed to conduct some short-term training courses for teachers of the blind on regional basis. No training courses, however, could be arranged but the Model School has been established. No provision has, therefore, been made in the budget for the next financial year under this Head.
Training Centre for the Adult Blind.-Provision of a sum of Rs. 2,64,000 exists in the budget for 1958-59 for the administration of the Men's Section of the Training Centre for the Adult Blind, Dehra Dun. This Centre which has accommodation for 150 trainees provides training chiefly in cottage industries to blind men between 18 and 40 years of age.
Provision of a sum of Rs. 2,61,800 has been made in the budget for 1959-60 for the administration of this Centre.
Expansion of the Training Centre for the Adult Blind.-Provision of a sum of Rs. 47,000 exists in the budget for the current financial year for the expansion of the Training Centre for the Adult Blind. This sum is intended for the establishment of a light engineering section.
Provision of only a sum of Rs. 5,000 has been made in the budget for the next financial year for the purchase of machinery required for this Section.
Women's Section of the Training Centre for Adult Blind.-Provision of a sum of Rs. 47,000 exists in the budget for 1958-59 for the administration of the Women's Section of the Training Centre for the Adult Blind that was established on 30th September, 1957. This Sec- tion has accommodation for 20 trainees. Its capacity is, however, proposed to be raised shortly to 35 by having an additional building
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Like the Men's Section this Section also provides training in cottage industries.
Provision of a sum of Rs. 65,000 has been made in the budget for the next financial year for the administration of this Section.
Administration of Sheltered Workshop for the Blind.-The Sheltered Workshop for the Blind attached to the Training Centre for the Adult Blind, Dehra Dun provides employment for some of the ex-trainees of the Centre. At present the workshop has five blind chaircaners and five blind weavers who are paid on piece-work basis.
Provision of a sum of Rs. 94,000 exists in the budget for 1958-59 for the administration and expansion of the Sheltered Workshop. Pro- vision of a sum of Rs. 97,000 has been made for this purpose in the budget for 1959-60.
The programme of expanding the workshop to provide employment for 25 workers could not be implemented during 1958-59. This is, however, proposed to be done during 1959-60.
Central Braille Press, Dehra Dun.-Provision of a sum of Rs. 75,000 exists in the budget for the current financial year for the administration of this Press. The main function of the Press is to produce Braille literature in Indian languages.
During the year under review the Braille Press has published nearly a dozen titles in Braille, chiefly in Hindi, These titles run into 30--40 Braille volumes.
Provision of a sum of Rs. 1,32,000 has been made in the budget for the next financial year for the administration of the Press. The enhanced provision is intended for the purchase of machinery in order to raise the productive capacity of the Press and for the introduction of two shifts.
Workshop for the Manufacture of Braille Appliances.-Provision of a sum of Rs. 47,000 exists in the budget for the current financial Year for the administration of the Workshop for the Manufacture of Braille Appliances attached to the Central Braille Press, Dehra Dun. This workshop undertakes the manufacture of practically all the basic appliances needed for the education of the blind. During the year, under review the workshop undertook the manufacture of arithmetic frames which were not manufactured in this country before. A provision of a sum of Rs. 50,000 has been made in the budget for the next financial year for the administration of this workshop.
Model School for Orthopaedically Handicapped Children.-Provision of a sum of Rs. 10,000 has been made in the budget for 1959-60
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for the establishment of a Model School for Orthopaedically Handi- capped Children. This scheme has been included in the Second Plan. The object of this school will be to provide Primary education along with simple vocational training and restorative therapy to about 50 severely orthopaedically handicapped children between 6--14 years of age.
No provision exists for this scheme in the budget for the current financial year.
Training Centre for the Adult Deaf.-Provision of a sum of Rs. 94,000 exists in the budget for the current financial year for the establishment of a Training Centre for the Adult Deaf. The proposed Centre is expected to provide training in trades like tailoring, carpentry, machine work, commercial painting, etc. to adult deaf persons to help them to be absorbed as skilled craftsmen in ordinary industry. This Centre could not be established during the current financial year chiefly for want of suitable' accommodation. Several buildings, are, however, at present in view and it is hoped that the Centre will be established early in 1959-60. Provision of a sum of Rs. 1 lakh has been made in the budget for 1959-60 for the establishment and administration of this Centre.
Model School for Mentally Retarded Children.-Provision of a sum of Rs. 30,000 has been made in the budget for the next financial, year for the establishment of a Model school for Mentally Retarded Children. This scheme has been included in the Second Five-Year Plan. The object of this school will be to provide Elementary education coupled with such vocational training as can be assimilated by mentally -retarded children. The school is expected to provide accommodation for 50 children in the initial stages.
Random Sample Survey of the Handicapped.-Provision of a sum of Rs. 28,200 exists in the budget for the current financial year for carrying out random sample surveys of the handicapped in select areas.
The object of these surveys is to have some idea of the incidence of the various crippling conditions as well as the socioeconomic needs of the major categories of the handicapped. Both the stages of the survey were completed in Bombay and a report has been published. A survey is at present in progress in Delhi. Sanction has been accorded for carrying out both the stages of the survey in Kanpur. Provision of a sum of Rs. 40,000 has been made in the budget for 1959-60 for this scheme.
Employment Organisation for the Handicapped.-Provision of a sum of Rs. 94,000 exists in the budget for the current financial year
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for the establishment of an Employment Organisation for the Handi- capped. On 16th September, 1958 Miss I. B. Harvey, an International Labour Organisation Expert on the placement of the physically handicapped came to this country to advise the Government of India in this field. She is due to leave on 6th March, 1959. A proper scheme for the establishment of such an organisation has been drawn up in consultation with her. This organisation will consist of about four pilot employment offices for the handicapped charged with the task of securing suitable employment for properly trained blind, deaf and orthopaedically handicapped persons. The proposed offices will function as part of the National Employment Service. The first Pilot Employment Office for the Handicapped is expected to be opened shortly in Bombay.
Provision of a sum of Rs. 49,800 hay been made in the budget for 1959-60 for the administration of the proposed Pilot Employment Office for the Handicapped to be established in Bombay during the current financial year and for the establishment of an additional office in an appropriate place.
Educational Rehabilitation of the Displaced Grant of Financial Assistance to Displaced Students and Educa- tional Institutions.-The work regarding (i) the grant of financial assistance as direct aid to displaced students from West Pakistan and (ii) the maintenance of Basic, post-Basic and High schools at Rajpura and Faridabad, which was taken over by the Ministry of Education from the Ministry of Rehabilitation in December, 1957, continues to be administered by this Ministry, either wholly or partly. The work in regard to the first item continues to be the entire responsibility of this Ministry, whereas the responsibility of the Ministry in regard to the second item of work is limited to the extent of reimbursing funds to the Punjab Government on certain percentage basis during the remaining part of the Second Plan period as the institutions have either been transferred or are under transfer to the State Government.
The following funds have been provided for both these items of work during the current and the next financial years :-
(Rs. in lakhs)
1958-59 1959-60
(i) Direct aid to displaced students including financial
assistance to destitute children living outside Homes/
Infirmaries 27.00 15.00
(ii) Educational arrangements at Rajpura and Faridabad 5.27 3.55
Provision for the grant of financial assistance as direct aid to displaced students from West Pakistan has been made not only on an ad hoc basis but also on a tapering basis with a view to winding up
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the scheme by the end of the Second Plan period and in order to keep the expenditure within the reduced allocations. With this objective in view the Government of India have increased the restrictions for the grant of financial assistance to displaced students thus stopping the cash grants and raising at the same time, the standards of merits.
No financial assistance was granted during 1958-59 to a student, who himself or his parents received compensation in cash or kind from the Ministry of Rehabilitation. An exception was, however, made for a student who was already in receipt of a stipend before he or his parents received any amount of compensation in cash or kind and was in the middle or at the fag-end of his studies for which he had been granted a stipend. This limit of compensation has been relaxed this year to the extent of Rs. 3,000 for a fresh applicant who is eligible for the grant of stipend in spite of the receipt of compensation received by himself or his parents for that amount or below. Simi- larly, a maximum limit of Rs. 5,000 has been fixed if the student or his parents have received compensation when the former has already been granted a stipend and is in the midst or at the fag-end of his studies at the time of the receipt of compensation.
There is also a discretionary grant reserved at the rate of Rs. 75,000 per annum till the end of the Second Plan period whereby students of the indigent displaced families receive suitable stipends direct from the Ministry of Rehabilitation for their studies even a a school stage. This item of 'work, however, is likely to be take over by the Ministry of Education in the immediate future.
Similarly, funds for the maintenance of educational institutions at Rajpura and Faridabad have been provided on the following percen- tage basis and on the understanding that the Central Government will not be committed to give any grants after the Second Plan period and that these institutions will be the sole responsibility of the State Government :-
1957-58 100%
1958-59 75%
1959-60 50%
1960-61 25%
The Punjab Government have now agreed to take over the two traditional High schools for boys and girls at Faridabad on the same terms and conditions. This question was under negotiation with the State Government till this time.
Indo-Pakistan Agreement on the Exchange of Educational Certi- ficates between India and Pakistan.-The difficulty over the exchange
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of educational certificates which ended in a deadlock some time during the month of April, 1958 still continues. The total number of old and fresh applications of Indian nationals still pending with the Pakistan Government are 300 and 479 respectively against those of the Pakistani nationals numbering 286 up to date.
The Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to extend the period of exemption from the payment of fees for verification of educational qualifications for a further period of one year with effect from 1st July, 1958.
Payment of Pension to Displaced Primary Teachers from Sind in Pakistan.-The problem of the payment of pension to Primary teachers displaced from Sind in Pakistan which was, for some time, under the consideration of the Government of India has recently been solved and the State Governments have been advised to pay pensions to these teachers serving under them at full rates.
Payment of Post Office Savings Bank Accounts and Postal Certi- ficates held by Displaced Persons from Pakistan.-The validity for the payment of post office savings bank accounts and claims against the postal certificates held by the displaced persons from Pakistan which remained unregistered for one reason or the other was extended till the middle of November, 1958.