(a) whether the Government are setting up District Rehabilitation Centres all over the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the objectives of DRC,State-wise;
(c) the fund spent on D.R.Cs in 2001-2002;
(d) the fund allocated for D.R.Cs in 2002-2003;
(e) whether the concept of D.R.Cs has not been an effective weapon or tool in meeting requirements of physically challenged people; and
(f) if so, the future of D.R.Cs in their present form?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT (DR. SANJAY PASWAN)
(a) & (b) : No, Sir. However, eleven District Rehabilitation Centres (DRCs) one each in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and two in Uttar Pradesh are already functioning for providing rehabilitation services to the persons with disabilities.
(c) : An amount of Rs.3.63 crore has been spent on DRCs in 2001-2002.
(d) : Allocation of funds for DRCs in the year 2002-2003 is Rs.3.80 crore.
(e) & (f) : The DRCs are effectively providing rehabilitation services to the physically challenged people. During the last 3 years, more than 3000 assessment camps have been conducted in villages, during which 70,000 persons with disabilities were evaluated/ followed up for providing various rehabilitation services. 13,000 people have been provided assistive devices, wheelchairs, tricycles etc. Educational services were also provided to about 9,000 children. No change is envisaged in the present set up of DRCs.