Cochlear surgery of poor deaf and dumb kids being carried out:

Karnal, Oct 6 Union minister Krishan Pal Gurjar today said cochlear implant surgeries of poor deaf and dumb children of the country are being carried out to permanently eliminate their deficiency.

"The government is spending Rs 6 lakh on each child and 800 children have been covered so far under this scheme. Any child who wish to take benefit of the scheme can contact in the office of deputy commissioner in district concerned," he said.

The Union Minister of State for Social and Justice and Empowerment was speaking at a programme organised by Haryana Social Justice and Empowerment Department here, an official release said.

On this occasion, he distributed artificial limbs and equipment to 1,611 senior citizens and 208 physically challenged persons.

He said, "Prime Minister Modi has initiated many schemes for the welfare of senior citizens and physically challenged."

"During the tenure of the previous government, benefit was given only to seven categories of 'divyangs', whereas 21 types of 'divyangs' were identified and are being given benefit now," he said.

The minister said that 100 buildings of 50 towns in the country have been identified and included under "Sugam Bhawan" scheme.

"All these buildings will be made 'Sugam' considering the problems of the senior citizens and the physically challenged. Not only this, ramps are being made on the airports, bus stations, railway stations and government buildings so as to facilitate the 'divyangs'," the minister said.