Hearing impaired on indefinite hunger strike

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.