HYDERABAD, June 1: The DCO has formed a five-member committee to prepare a feasibility report for a rehabilitation institute for retarded people in Hyderabad. Presiding over a meeting at the Shahbaz Building regarding establishment of separate welfare institutions for disabled and retarded people here on Tuesday, DCO Mohammad Hussain Syed said the project would be initiated during financial year 2005-2006.

He asked the committee, comprising the EDO, community development, Mohammad Ibrahim Qureshi, EDO, health, Nazar Mohammad Junejo, DO, education, Iqbal Memon, educationist Manzoor Ahmad Bhutto and WHO sociologist Najma Chand, to submit its report by June 30.

He said the project was aimed at rehabilitating retarded people. He added that trained staff would be employed at the centre which would be equipped well.

The DCO said three welfare institutions for the disabled – Rehabilitation Centre for Physically Handicapped, Qasimabad, Service Centre for Blind, GOR Colony, Hyderabad, and Pilot Project for Physically Handicapped, GOR Colony – were being run by the district government where due to overlapping in welfare work and registration of disabled people, some administrative and professional difficulties were being experienced.

He said the district government had now decided to separate these institutions to achieve targeted results.

He directed that the Service Centre for Blind should be converted into a centre for deaf and dumb people and people enrolled in the centre be shifted to the Pilot Project for Physically Handicapped.

The DCO asked the EDO, community development, to submit a report about providing trained staff, including psychiatrists, and ensure job-oriented education and training at each welfare institute to enable the disabled to earn their livelihood independently.

He said a governing body, comprising public and private figures, would be formed for each welfare institute.

He directed the DO, building, for immediate repairs of buildings of welfare institutions.