NILD’s Proposed Shift To Odisha Triggers Political Storm In Bengal

Kolkata: The Centre’s decision to shift the headquarters of National Institute for Locomotors Disabilities (NILD) from Kolkata to Odisha has triggered a political storm in neighbouring West Bengal.

According to sources, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has decided to shift the premier institute from its present campus at Bonhooghly to Nistar in Odisha. The ministry informed this in a directive on August 16.

Criticising the proposed shift, Congress and CPI-M in Bengal termed it as BJP’s “political vendetta” against the state for its loss in the Assembly elections held earlier this year.

CPI-M Central Committee member Sujan Chakraborty said NILD provides education to thousands of students to make them qualified paramedics, but the move will make their profession uncertain. The Central government to roll back the decision else it will create a huge ruckus, he added.

Even thousands of physically challenged and other orthopaedic patients have erupted in protest against what they termed as the Centre’s “erratic decision”. They have been sitting on a fast and dharna for the past two weeks to demand the decision be rolled back.

The NILD provides services to orthopedically handicapped people, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, orthotics and prosthetic treatments. It also conducts and sponsors research in all aspects related to the rehabilitation of the orthopedically handicapped.

The institute also provides services in the area of rehabilitation, restorative surgery, aids and appliances and vocational training to persons with disabilities.