QUALITY ASSURANCE IN MENTAL HOSPITALS Ministry had a scheme to promote voluntary action for persons with disabilities, which also covered programmes for the rehabilitation of women who were mentally ill. 8.4 The Directors of the three mental hospitals were accordingly requested to identify suitable NGOs, through whom the schemes of the two Ministries could be implemented for the rehabilitation of cured patients. The Commission has since received two proposals each from the Directors of the Agra Mental Hospital and the Ranchi Mental Hospital and one from the Director of the Gwalior Mental Hospital. These proposals have been sent to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for favourable consideration. The matter is being pursued with that Ministry so that expeditious action can be taken. The Commission, in its meeting held on 28 July 2000, further decided that a group consisting of experts and representatives from the National Commission for Women may be constituted to study the problems of rehabilitation of cured patients and work out a plan of action for the establishment and running of Half-Way Homes. 8.5 Shri Chaman Lai, Special Rapporteur, visited the Mental Hospital in Ranchi between 30 June-2 July 2000, the Mental Hospital in Agra on 17 November 2000 and the Gwalior Mental Hospital on 17 and 18 March 2001. The reports submitted by Shri Chaman Lai were considered by the Commission and the Directors of these Hospitals and the authorities concerned in the Government of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh respectively were requested to implement the suggestions made in the reports. In order to encourage the authorities concerned to implement the directions of the Supreme Court in all seriousness, the Commission proposed that a meeting be held of the Directors and Chairpersons of the Management Committees of these Hospitals, the Health Secretary, Government of India and the Health Secretaries of the three concerned States on 8 May 2001. B] Dargah in Tamil Nadu 8.6 Earlier Annual Reports of the Commission have indicated that, in August 1998, the Commission had received a petition alieging that mentally ill persons were being kept in chains and confined in a restricted space in the Sultan Alayudeen Dargah at Goripalayam near Madurai. The Commission had sought a report from the District Collector of the area. The Collector in turn had confirmed that about 92 mentally ill ANNUAL REPORT 2000-2001 79