The Government of India will distribute artificial limbs at a month-long free medical camp in Jaffna in December. As a pilot project, 600 people who lost their limbs in mine blasts and other war-related incidents will be given artificial limbs at a cost of Indian Rs 15 lakh.

Jaipur-based Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) will provide the limbs at an average cost of Rs 2,000. "As we are driven by donations, we are able to keep the cost low,'' said Dr D R Mehta, BMVSS founder and former chairman of SEBI.

A 15-member medical team would stay at the camp for a month and manufacture artificial limbs after taking measurements of the beneficiaries. "We have an advanced technology in manufacturing artificial limbs and we can make them within a day. Unlike earlier artificial limbs, which are heavy, the latest ones are much lighter. We are planning to conduct similar camps in Iraq, Turkey, Palestine and the UAE next year,'' Mr. Mehta said.

The process began last month when the Ministry of External Affairs gave its approval for the project. An assessment was made as to how many people urgently need artificial limbs in the Jaffna peninsula. 600 persons were identified as beneficiaries for the pilot project.