Former chief minister and Jharkhand higher and technical education minister, Champai Soren announced a proposal to build eastern India’s first university for the physically challenged on the outskirts of the state’s capital Ranchi.

Champai, who reviewed the schemes of higher and technical education at Ranchi on Thursday, said that the proposal would be sent to the cabinet for a formal nod.

“It would be the first such university in the eastern region of the country and would cater to physically challenged students of all forms. We are looking at lands in the outskirts of Ranchi. It will require a large area of nearly 100 acres as the entire structure would be mostly single or double storied for the convenience of the physically challenged. We are looking for consultants in this field and the approval would be sent to cabinet for a formal nod soon,” said Soren, who stepped down as chief minister last week paving way for Hemant Soren to don the post.

The minister further said the proposed university will have special arrangements for education of divyangs (disabled) suiting their needs and would strictly adhere to norms of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.

“There will be special courses and educational equipment and gadgets for the physically challenged. The building structure would have features as mandated under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act for the convenience of the physically challenged,” said Soren.

Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyanga University in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh was the country’s first dedicated university for the physically challenged.

“The government will bear the education expenses of the orphans and disabled under the Navothan Scholarship scheme. We would ensure that no orphans and physically challenged are deprived of education,” said Soren.

Significantly, under the Jharkhand government Navothan Scholarship Scheme, the government will reimburse the full course fee (up to a maximum of ₹ 10 lakh per year) of meritorious orphan and disabled students of the state. Apart from this, these students will be given an assistance of ₹ 48,000 per year for residential and food arrangements.

He also reviewed the progress of the state’s first tribal university named as Pandit Raghunath Murmu Tribal University being built near Jamshedpur. “The appointment of a new vice-chancellor is likely to take place this month. After which the work will progress at a fast pace of the university,” said Soren.