Indian Standards. Marketing of products is done through regional marketing centres at Kolkata,
      Mumbai, Chennai, Bhubaneshwar and Delhi and also through national institutes, voluntary
      organisations.
           Five Composite Regional Centres (CRCs) for the Persons with Disabilities are located at
      Srinagar, Lucknow, Bhopal, Sundernagar and Guwahati. These centres conduct training
      programmes to prepare professionals in the field of rehabilitation as well as provide
      rehabilitation services to the disabled. Four Regional Rehabilitation Centres for Spinal Injuries
      and other Disabilities at Mohali, Cuttack, Jabalpur and Bareilly are providing services for basic
      management and follow-up of the spinally injured so as to make the affected persons
      functionally independent.
      Economic Development
           The National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) is an apex-
      level financial institution for extending credit facilities to persons with disabilities for their
      economic development. Funds assistance is disbursed through the channelising agencies
      authorized by the state governments/UT administrations and non-governmental organisations. It
      also extends loans for pursuing education at graduate and higher levels. Besides, it assists in the
      upgradation of technical and entrepreneurial skills to enable beneficiaries to manage their
      production units efficiently.
      Relevant Website: www.nhfdc.nic.in
      Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase of Appliances
           Under the Scheme for Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of AIDs and
      Appliances assistance is given for procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically
      manufactured, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and
      psychological rehabilitation by reducing the impact of disability and enhance their economic
      potential. It is implemented through agencies like voluntary organisations, national institutes
      under the Ministry, ALIMCO, Zilla Panchayats, DRDAs, etc. The implementing agencies are
      provided grant-in-aid for purchase, fabrication and distribution of aids and appliances. The
      Scheme also includes under its ambit medical/surgical correction and intervention that may be
      essential prior to fitments of aids and appliances.
      Tribal Affairs
      Development of Scheduled Tribes
           The Ministry of Tribal Affairs was set up in 1999 after the bifurcation of Ministry of Social
      Justice and Empowerment with the objective of providing more focused approach on the
      integrated socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs), the most underprivileged
      of the society, in a coordinated and planned manner. Before the formation of the Ministry, tribal
      affairs was handled by different ministries at different points in time. It is the nodal Ministry for
      overall policy, planning and coordination of programmes for development of ST’s. To this end ,
      this Ministry has undertaken activities that follow from the subjects allocated under the
      Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961.
      Relevant Website: www.tribal.nic.in