CHANDIGARH, JULY 19: The government has granted sanction for imported, state-of-the-art artificial limbs to be provided to soldiers who have lost their limbs during Operation Vijay in the Kargil sector.A case in this regard had earlier been taken up with the government by the Army. A British firm is reportedly being approached for supply of artificial limbs.Made of a special ligt-weight material called Endolite, these artificial limbs would have movable joints, which would function like a natural arm or leg.While an artificial limb to be fitted below the knee would cost about Rs 32,000 each, a complete artificial limb to be fitted above the knee would cost about Rs 65,000. An artificial arm would cost about Rs 30,000. The cost would be borne by the government.Such artificial limbs are not yet manufactured in the country. The ones available here, made of wood or plastic, are rigid and cumbersome, which requires a wearer some time to get used to. Moreover, the use of such limbs, unlike the endolite ones, is noticeable.Though the present case is concerned with battle casualties from the Kargil sector, sources do not rule out the future possibility of such limbs being provided to other soldiers whose disability is attributed to military service.Meanwhile, setting up of an artificial limb centre at the Western Command Hospital, Chandimandir, has also been approved.Army sources say that during his visit to the hospital earlier this month, Chief of the Army Staff, Gen V.P. Malik had told officers that funds have been released for the centre.A requirement of about Rs 40 lakh had been projected for the centre. A separate building for the centre within the Command Hospital premises is being planned and till it comes up, the centre will function from the accommodation available within the hospital.The centre will include a workshop, where artificial limbs would be assembled and modified. Physiotherapy as well as training to use these limbs will also be provided.While requisite parts for the limbs will be acquired from Pune, these will be assembled at the centre here in accordance with the individual requirements of the patients. One such limb, made of wood, plastic and leather, is expected cost about Rs 2,000 to 4,000.In fact, the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development had at one time proposed setting up a similar artificial limbs centre at the Command Hospital, but the proposition then had been turned down as the Army at that time did not feel the necessity for such a centre.Considering the number of casualties which have lost their limbs due to wounds attributable to military service, specially land mine blasts in Operation Vijay, the earlier decision, sources say has been reversed.Priority, A-C travel for the war woundedBattle casualties from the Drass-Kargil axis have now been authorised air-conditioned rail travel to their home places after discharge from hospital. The railway authorities had also been approached to give priority to travel reservations of battle casualties. Sources say that after a trooper's stay is no longer warranted in hospital, but he still needs time to recuperate, he his sent home. "These facilities have been provided to ensure that the travel of wounded soldiers is comfortable and without the hassles routinely encountered in general compartments," an officer said. As per Army rules, jawans and NCOs are authorised second class travel by rail when travelling on warrant. Only officers are entitled air-conditioned travel.
