The centre is expected to be on the lines of the four already opened by the ministry in North and East India for the benefit of the locomotor handicapped and aimed at providing much needed support to the disabled in starting a new life. Centres already exist in Calcutta, Kanpur, Delhi and Chandigarh and the need for one here is being felt, Maneka said, reacting warmly to the idea of having it at the QMTI.

Along with financial aid for the rehabilitation of the soldiers, the aim is to also provide them with surgical and psychological assistance. ``A soldier's handicap is different from other disabilities. One moment he is physically fit and proud of his body, the next moment he is an invalid. The psychological trauma of a young soldier has to be dealt with at the same level as the disability. They must have all possible support,'' Gandhi said.

She added that her ministry had recently started a corporation which would help the disabled in starting new activities by funding low interest self-employment schemes.