Union Minister reviews construction at Vijaypur
Samba, October 27: Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virender Kumar Tuesday reviewed the ongoing construction of a Rs 24-crore permanent facility for the Composite Regional Centre (CRC) Jammu at Vijaypur in Samba district, which is expected to expand rehabilitation, special education and skill development services for persons with disabilities.
The permanent premises are being developed to strengthen the centre’s capacity to provide rehabilitation and support services across the region. The facility is expected to include laboratories for the measurement, manufacture and fitting of customised artificial limbs and other assistive devices.
During his visit to the construction site at Village Chak Jawala, the Minister reviewed the progress of work and emphasised the need for timely completion of the project. He said the new infrastructure would help expand access to rehabilitation, education and support services, enabling persons with disabilities to lead more independent and dignified lives.
Dr Rohnika Sharma, Director, CRC Jammu, briefed the Minister on the progress of construction, the work completed so far and the activities remaining before the facility could become operational. She also highlighted the infrastructure requirements and measures needed to expedite the project.
The Minister said the centre would provide physiotherapy and specialised training for children with disabilities to help them become self-reliant. Training for parents and caregivers would also be facilitated to enable them to better support children with disabilities.
He added that a Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra would be established at the facility to facilitate access to assistive devices. Disability-related courses, including B.Ed. and M.Ed. programmes, are also planned to create educational opportunities and improve employment prospects for youth trained in rehabilitation and disability empowerment.
The proposed laboratories for customised artificial limbs and assistive devices are expected to help beneficiaries carry out daily activities with greater ease and independence.
Kumar said the permanent premises would address the long-standing need for a comprehensive rehabilitation facility in the Jammu region, bringing disability-related services closer to beneficiaries, including children and senior citizens. He emphasised that adequate infrastructure and timely completion were essential for effective delivery of services.
The Minister was accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, including Rajeev Sharma, Joint Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
CRC Jammu functions under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, through the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities, New Delhi.
The facility is expected to strengthen rehabilitation, early intervention, special education and skill development services for persons with disabilities in Jammu and adjoining areas once construction is completed and it becomes operational.
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