Question : Colleges for Hearing Impaired Students

(a) the status of the colleges proposed to be established for students with hearing impairment in the country;

(b) the details of the funds sanctioned, allocated and utilized for the purpose during the last three years, State/UT-wise;

(c) the details of the target fixed and achievements made under this programme during the said period, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether the Government is satisfied with the achievement or it is lagging behind from the fixed target; and

(e) the details thereof along with the reasons and the action taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)


(a) to (e): As informed by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), the Department is implementing the Scheme of Establishment of College for Deaf in five regions of the country. The scheme was launched on 29th January, 2015. The Scheme envisages financial assistance to one college, affiliated to the UGC approved Universities, in each of the five regions of the country (including one in North East) for expansion of the infrastructure of the existing college, purchase of aids/equipment and financial assistance in the form of grant in aids to reimburse the cost incurred by the college towards payment of salaries and allowances. Maximum Central assistance which can be provided under the Scheme is only Rs. 2.50 crore. One proposal received from Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University (DSMNRU) for establishing College for Deaf in Lucknow in conformity to the guidelines of the Scheme has been approved and Rs. 81 lakhs released to DSMNRU in 2016-17 for expansion of existing infrastructure.