Free Press Journal: Mumbai: Friday,
September 23, 2016.
Over 200
hearing impaired persons have gone on an indefinite strike outside the Ali
Yavar Jung National Institute for Hearing Handicapped in Bandra alleging
corruption and malpractices the institute’s working.
The institute
is one of the seven national institutes dedicated to persons with disabilities
and established under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
“There are
such people teaching in the institute who do not have a B.Ed or M.Ed. how can
they be recruited,” asked Umakant Rai of India Deaf Society. “I have proof that
these people have got in with fake caste certificates,” he added.
A press
release from the India Deaf Society said that they were denied information they
had sought under the Right to Information Act. “Very basic information we had
sought, such as how many deaf persons there are in the state, was not given,”
Rai said, alleging a lack of transparency. He also said that an RTI query on
how the institute’s director was recruited was not answered.
Puneet Gustav
of the organisation said that the institute does not teach sign language to
students, which is essential in teaching the hearing impaired. Instead, an old
Desktop Publishing course is taught.
“Ask them how
many deaf persons they have managed to employ with that course,” Rai asked.
They alleged
corruption in providing Cochlear implants, a medical device that replaces the
function of the damaged inner ear. “While it is supposed to be provided free of
cost, the employees charge say, Rs 3 lakhs, saying that it would cost them 7
lakhs outside. Since people are not aware, they pay for it,” said Rai.
The press
release also said that the institute receives grants in crores of rupees but is
it not used to benefit the target group.
.JPG)
.JPG)
