Organization, Functions and Duties
[Section-4 (1)(b)(i)]
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, SECUNDERABAD
1. National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped established in the year 1984 at Manovikasnagar, Secunderabad (AP) is an Autonomous Body under the administrative control of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. NIMH has three regional centres located at New Delhi, Kolkatta, & Mumbai, Model School for Mentally Deficient children located at New Delhi and Composite Regional Centre at Bhopal. In addition, it has 16 District Disability Rehabilitation Centres located in Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttaranchal.
1.1 Aims and Objectives:
Since the quality of life of every person with mental retardation is equal to other citizens in the country, in that they live independently to the maximum extent possible and through constant professional endeavours, National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped empowers the persons with mental retardation to access the state of the art rehabilitation intervention viz., educational, therapeutic, vocational, employment, leisure and social activities, sports, cultural programmes and full participation. The objectives for which NIMH works are listed as under:-
- Development of models of care and rehabilitation.
- Human Resources Development
- Research and Development
- Consultancy services to voluntary organisations
- Documentation and dissemination.
- Extension and Outreach programmes
NIMH is registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 in the year 1984 vide No.S/14277 of 1984 dated 22.2.1984.
2. Authorities of the institute:
The following are the authorities of the institute;
2.1 General Council;
2.2 Executive Council;
2.3 Such other Authorities as may be prescribed from time to time by the
General Council.
3. General Council:
3.1 The composition of the General Council shall be
(a) Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, -President
Govt. of India
.
(b) Joint Secretary (DD) - Member
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India.
(c) Financial Adviser to the
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India -Member
(d) Dir. Gen. of Employment & Training -Member
Govt.. of India Ministry of Labour.
(e) Six specialists/representatives of voluntary -Member
organizations/social workers in the field (to be
nominated by the Govt. of India).(Appendix.1.1)
(f) A nominee of the Ministry of Health, Govt.of India - Member.
(g) Two nominees from the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh -Member
(Secy, Deptt. of Social Welfare & Dir. Medical Health
Services, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh).
(h) A nominee of the Ministry of Education, - Member
Govt. of India.
(i).Director of the Institute. -Member Secretary
3.2 The General Council will have the power to co-opt from time to for such period as they deem fit representative or representatives of such other organisations or institutions and individuals as they deem desirable in the interests of the institute. co-opted member shall have the right to participate in the discussion but not to vote.
4. Term of office:
4.1 The tenure of office of the Members and Office Bearers of the General Council except that the President shall be-two years or until their successors are nominated, whichever is later, and they shall be eligible for re-nomination.
4.2 The tenure of office of the member of the General Council shall be at the pleasure of the Central Govt. It can be reduced or ex-ended at the pleasure of the Central Government.
4.3 An ex-officio member shall automatically cease to be a member of General Council on vacating office.
Appendix-1.1
LIST OF MEMBERS OF GENERAL COUNCIL
- Smt.Sarita Prasad
Secretary to Govt of India
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Shastri Bhavan
New Delhi 110 001
2. Smt.Jayati Chandra
Joint Secretary to Govt of India
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi 110 001
3. Shri Mrutunjay Sahoo
Joint Secretary & Financial Adviser
Government of India
Ministry of Power,M/o Social Justice & Empowerment
Room No.405, Shram Shakti Bhawan,
Rafi Marg, NEW DELHI 110 001
4. Director General of Employment &Training
Ministry of Labour
Shram Shakti Bhavan
New Delhi 110 001
5. Dr.P.Bhagwanth Rao
5-2-512, Old Osmangunj
Risala Abdullah
Hyderabad 500 195
6. Shri Tara Chand Sharma
Social Worker
Indrapuri, Sethi Nagar
Ujjain
7. Shri Guru Sidde Gowda
Social Worker
Gangasandra Village
Tumkur Taluk
Tumkur, Karnataka
8. Smt.Radha Reddy
C.o.Vivek Hospital
17-2-549, Carmagida
Saidabad, Hyderabad
9. The Joint Secretary
Dept. of Education
Ministry of Human Resource Development
Shastri Bhavan
New Delhi 110 001
10. Joint Secretary to Govt of India
Dept of Health
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Nirman Bhavan
New Delhi 110 001
11. Principal Secretary to Govt of A.P.
Dept. of Medical & Health
SECRETARIAT
H Block, 1st Floor
Hyderabad 500 022
12. Principal Secretary to Govt. Of A.P
Dept of Women Development and Child Welfare
SECRETARIAT
H Block, Ground Floor, Room No.27
HYDERABAD 500 022
13. Dr.L.Govinda Rao
Director
NIMH
Secunderabad-500 009.
5. Meeting of the General Council:
5. 1 The Annual General Meeting of the General Council shall be called by the President every year after giving at least notice of the daze, time, place and agenda and at such meeting it shall transact the following business,
(a) Consideration of the Annual Report.
(b) Consideration of the Balance Sheet and the Audited accounts for the previous year.
(c) Receipt and consideration of budget proposals for the following year; and
(d) Such other matter or matters as the President may direct,
5.2 The President may convene a special meeting of General Council whenever he/she thinks it necessary to do so by giving not less than 14 days notice and indicating the purpose of the meeting.
5.3 At such Special Meetings of the General Council convened by the President no business other than the business included in the notice of the meeting shall be conducted.
5.4 Powers and duties of the President of the General Council shall include
(i) Calling and presiding over-all meetings of the General Council; and
(ii) Moving the Executive Council to take into consideration his views in
regard to any matter which is required to be considered by it.
6. The Executive Council:
6.1 The composition of the Executive Council shall be.
(a) Joint Secretary (DD) - Chairman
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Govt. of India
(b) Financial Adviser, Ministry of Social Justice, - Member
& Empowerment, Govt. of India.
(c) Two specialists/representatives or voluntary - Member
organisations/social workers in the field (to be
nominated by the Govt, of India.
(d) Director of the Institute. - Member-Secy.
Members of the EC enclosed at Appendix-1.2
Appendix-1.2
LIST OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. Smt.Jayati Chandra
Joint Secretary to Govt of India
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi 110 001
2. Shri Mrutunjay Sahoo
Joint Secretary & Financial Adviser
Government of India
Ministry of Power, Social Justice & Empowerment
Room No.405, Shram Shakti Bhawan,
Rafi Marg, NEW DELHI 110 001
3. Shri T.K.Nanda Kumar
1st Floor, Nandanam
33, Venkatanarayan Road
Post Box 3388
Chennai 600 035
4. Swami Biswanathananda
General Secretary
Vivekananda Mission Ashram
Po.Chaitanyapur, Haldia
Midnapore Dist.
West Bengal 721 645
5. Dr.L.Govinda Rao
Director
National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped
Manovikasnagar
Secunderabad 500 009
6.2 The Chairman of the Executive Council may invite, any person to attend any particular meeting or meetings as he/she thinks it desirable.
6.3 Powers and duties of the Chairman of the Executive Council:
(i) To preside over the meetings of the Executive Council.
(ii) To take emergent action whenever exigencies of the situation demand it in the interests of the Institute and to have the same ratified by the Executive Council at its next meeting.
7. Tenure of office:
7.1 Member- nominated under clause 3.1 (e) and under clause 6, 1(c) shall hold office for a period of two years from the date of nomination. The members 'shall be eligible for re-nomination.
7.2 Where a member of General Council Executive Council becomes such member by reason of the office he holds, his hold that office.
7.3 If a member of the General Council/Executive Council changes his address, he may notify to the Member-Secretary his new address; but if he fails to notify such address, his address as recorded on the roles of the members shall be deemed to be his address.
8. Cessation or termination of Membership:
8.1 A Member of the General Council or Executive Council shall cease to be such a member if he (a) dies or (b) resigns his membership, or (c) become of unsound mind, or (d) becomes insolvent or (e)-is convicted of a criminal offence involving moral turpitude or (f) is removed by the- Central Government from the membership or (g) except in the case of Director of the Institute ,aspects a full-time appointment in the Institute or (h) fails to attend three consecutive meetings without the leave of the General Council or Chairman of the Executive Council or Chairman of the Executive Council as the case may be.
8.2 A member of the General Council or Executive Council (other than,. ex-officio member or a member representing the Central Government) may resign office by a letter addressed to the president of the General Council or to the Chairman of the Executive Council whatever the case may be and such resignation shall take effect from the date it is accepted by the concerned Pres[dent/Chairman,
9. Casual Vacancy:
9. 1 Any casual vacancy in the General Council or in the Executive Council shall be filled by the appointment or nomination of a member by the appropriate authority entitled to make such appointment or nomination and the member appointed or nominated to fill such casual vacancy shall hold office for the reminder if the term, if any, of the member in whose place he has been appointed or nominated.
9. 2 The General Council or the Executive Council shall function notwithstanding any vacancy therein and notwithstanding any defect in the appointment or nomination of any of its members, and no act or proceedings of the General Council or Executive Council shall be called in question merely by reason of the existence of any vacancy therein or of any defect in the appointment or nomination of any of its members.
10. Meeting of the Executive Council:
10.1 The Executive Council of the Institute shall meet at least once in every three months.
10.2 The meeting of the Executive Council may be convened by the Chairman of the Executive Council or any other member of the Executive Council who may be authorized by him in this behalf.
10.3 The meetings of the Executive Council shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Executive Council and in his absence a member elected by the members present shall function as Chairman for that particular meeting
11. Powers and functions of the Executive Council:
11.1 Subject to general control and directives of the General Council, the Executive Council shall be responsible for the management and administration of the affairs of the institute in accordance with the Memorandum of Association, the Rules and Bye-laws made there under for the furtherance of the objects and shall have all powers which may be necessary or expedient for the purpose including:-
(a) to lay down broad policy to carry out the purposes of the Institute.
(b) to review and sanction budget estimates.
(c) to sanction expenditure as defined in financial bye-laws.
(d) to invest the funds of the Institute.
(e) to borrow on terms and conditions expedient.
(f) to create posts and recruit and appoint staff
11.2 The appointment of the Director shall be made by the Executive Council with the prior approval of the Govt.
11.3 (a) Creation and appointment to all such posts as carry an initial monthly pay of Rs. 1600 or above shall be done with prior approval of the Government.
11.4 Creation and appointment of other posts shall be made by the Executive Council.
11.5 The Director of the Institute shall be in-charge of the management of the Institute and shall exercise such powers in respect of the affairs of the Institute as may be delegated to him by the Executive Council from time to time.
11.6 The Executive Council may by resolution appoint one or more committee or committees or subcommittee for such purposes and with such powers as may be specified by it.
11.7 The Executive Council of the Institute may, by resolution, delegate separately to the Chairman of the Director or jointly to both of them such of its powers as it may deem fit for the conduct of, business.
11.8 The Executive Council may with prior approval of the Government alter or repeal or frame new rules.
12. ACTIVITIES OF NIMH
The institute is engaged in the following programmes/activities:
q Development of models of care and rehabilitation
q Human Resources Development
q Research & Development
q Consultancy services to voluntary organisations
q Documentation and dissemination
q Extension and outreach programmes
q Identification of disabilities and providing services through outreach and extension programmes
q Field action related programmes
12.1 Service models
General Services:
The Institute undertakes assessment and evaluation covering case history taking, physical and medical examination, intellectual and developmental assessment, special educational assessment, therapeutic needs assessment, vocational assessment and basic biochemical screening and examination. A programme plan made for home based training and demonstrations is given to parents for carrying out the skill training or therapy programme for home management .
Medical Services
Those clients with mental retardation who have associated medical conditions such as epilepsy, hyperkinetic behaviour, upper respiratory tract infections, nutritional problems are provided with drugs and related medical advice. The Institute has in-house experts in paediatrics and psychiatry. When necessary, clients are referred to outside experts. Drugs are provided free of cost to the families with low income.
Early intervention
Infants and toddlers with suspected or at-risk of delayed development in the age group of 0-3 years are provided services of early intervention which constitute nearly one third of total number of clients seen in general services. These services are provided by a multi-disciplinary team of experts. The parents are given guidance regarding immunization, nutrition, feeding, sensory-motor development, speech and language development and psycho-social interventions.
Special education services
In the special education service, children are assessed for current level of functioning in the various skill areas such as self-help skills, gross and fine motor skills, functional reading and writing skills, time, money and related cognitive skills. Parents are involved in all stages of assessment, planning of an individualised educational programme and implementation of the IEP. Various learning aids and appliances as appropriate to Indian context are utilised. Computer assisted training modules are also utilised in needy clients to speed up the efficiency of the special education services.
Behaviour modification services
Persons with mental retardation having problematic behaviours like disobedience, head banging, biting self, excessive crying and other wide variety of problematic behaviours are taken up in service. After making detailed assessment for finding out the frequency and severity of behaviour, functional analysis is made to find out the factors, which influence the maintenance of such behaviours. Programme package is made and parents are given instructions on suitable interventions in the event of occurrence of the target behaviour. Follow up is made at regular intervals to maintain the progress.
Guidance and counselling services
Apart from tackling misconceptions on the part of the parents, guidance is given to understand the nature of mental retardation and the needs of the child at different stages of life. Parental expectations are worked out to promote harmonious development of the child in the family setting. Emotional problems of the parents are also worked out to cope with person with mental retardation in the family.
Speech pathology and audiology
Delayed development of speech and language is one of the features of mental retardation. Many children also present a variety of hearing defects. Those clients requiring services are taken up for detailed assessment. Speech and language intervention package is developed according to the individual needs of the child. Parents are guided to carry out intervention at home under the advice of the professionals.
Physiotherapy
Children with mental retardation develop motor skills such as sitting and walking slower than normal children. About 15 percent of them also have palsy and other physical handicaps. After assessment, demonstration of therapeutic training for correcting posture and movement is given. Clients requiring assistive devices and appliances as also corrective surgery are referred to appropriate agencies.
Multiple handicap unit
Children with mental retardation having additional problems such as hearing impairment, visual handicaps and physical handicaps are provided special attention in this service. Comprehensive services under one roof are provided every Friday by a team of multidisciplinary professionals.
Genetic clinic
Parents seeking expert advice regarding the probability of occurrence of genetic or birth defects of future offspring are offered services of genetic counselling. Biochemical, chromosomal and cytogenetic investigations are obtained by referring the clients to collaborating institutions such as Institute of Genetics and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology located at Hyderabad. A team of medical and genetic experts offer the counselling services.
Vocational Training
Socio enconomic rehabilitation of persons with mental retardation is promoted through the service of vocational training and job placement. Adults with mental retardation are placed in generic training initially and on-the-job training subsequently. On the job training varies from one client to another depending upon the job opportunities available to the client in the locality where he lives. Long-term support is provided to the client till he/she is able to carry on the job independently at the job site.
Family cottage services
NIMH is one of the few institutions in the country that provides family cottage services where children with mental retardation along with family members can stay for a period of approximately two weeks. This gives an opportunity to parents to seek answers to the questions they would like to ask from.
The services offered by the Institute are predominantly home based. However, a large number of out-station parents require family cottage services. Parents in an atmosphere similar to home can stay along with the family members for a period of two weeks. During this short stay they obtain all the services of the Institute such as skill training, individual and family counselling, management of problem behaviours, speech-language therapy, medical advice, physiotherapy, recreational activities and other needed help. These cottages offer an excellent opportunity for parents to concentrate on the needs of the child away from their routine daily life.
12.2 Human Resource Development
To achieve optimum results, the institute has developed and introduced innovative structured training courses like Early Intervention, Rehabilitation Psychology and Vocational training at Masters level. The training programmes are offered on gradual scale from certificate - diploma - undergraduate - graduate - post - graduate -Masters levels. Presently, the Institute conducts 5 certificate courses, 3 Diploma Courses, undergraduate, 2 Graduate courses, 1 Post-graduate Diploma course and 2 Master courses. It will introduce 3 Master courses in Disability Studies in next academic year.
The course content and syllabus for disability rehabilitation courses are structured, standardized and recognized by Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), a statutory and regulatory body like MCI for medical, AICTE for engineering and NCTE for education.
The syllabus is drawn keeping in view the academic standards at Masters level with elements of innovative and research-oriented fields. The programme structure is based on the experiences and feedback by having greater interface with society through extra mural, extension and field action related programmes.
The institute with the experiences and expert faculty having background of scientific studies and research projects specializes in the preparation of course contents for professionals in the area of mental retardation.
12.3 Research and Development
According to the priorities of the country’s need in the area of mental retardation, NIMH focuses on applied research followed by developmental research in finding out solutions for the problems and coming out with service and training models. As a result of the research and development activity, NIMh has come out with more than 65 original publications, including 30 publications in regional languages which are widely used in the field.
12.4 Consultancy Services to Voluntary Organisations
As a result of NIMH initiatives since its inception, large number of organizations have been established at various places in the country. Networking is being strengthened to derive the advantages available with other organizations in the country, while allowing others to avail the services of NIMH.
12.5 Documentation and Dissemination
The documentation and dissemination are important activities of the Institute which include (a) procurement of books, journals, and documents (b) publication of quarterly NIMH Newsletter and bimonthly Mentard Bulletin (c) supplying photocopies of journal articles (d) distribution of NIMH publications, video cassettes and floppies containing computer assisted instructional programme and (e) services to users such as routine library services, preparation of reading lists and newspaper clippings.
12.6 Extension and Outreach Programmes
The institute has 16 DDRCs through out South, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttaranchal where rehabilitation services are rendered on life-cycle need basis besides conducting identification camps and distribution of aids and appliances to the needy persons having disabilities is undertaken. Camps are also organized on the request of the State Govt authorities for providing awareness programmes and identification of the beneficiaries for distribution of aids and appliances.
12.7 Community & Rehabilitation
Community rehabilitation focuses on providing rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities within the limits of their community. Department of CR&PM was created to provide community rehabilitation with an aim “to reach the unreached”. According to this, the rehabilitation professionals visit the community to identify, assess and plan the services accordingly. Various models have been developed to provide community rehabilitation services. These services facilitate empowerment of grassroot level workers, trainees and persons with disabilities.
Community rehabilitation focuses on creating awareness and removing barriers of persons with disabilities. NIMH uses the community rehabilitation services for extending the practical exposure to the trainee students in serving the people with disabilities in the community. The major focus is on the rural areas, weaker sections, women with disabilities and urban slums where the services are not available readily.