According to the most recent data available on "Manoashraya," a dashboard launched recently by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, there are over 3,100 people who have been declared fit for discharge but are still incarcerated in mental health institutions across states.

The dashboard was created in accordance with the directives issued by the Supreme Court for real-time monitoring of data pertaining to facilities, capacity, and occupancy in rehabilitation and halfway houses. The data from the dashboard showed that there are 407 rehabilitation homes and halfway houses throughout 36 states and UTs with a total capacity of 26,443, with space for 14,482 females and 11,961 males.

According to the portal, the overall occupancy was 22,586 people, with 13,615 females and 8,971 men, on Sunday. The dashboard indicated that around 3,125 people had been pronounced fit for discharge from mental health institutes but were still residing there.

Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, is expected to meet with his colleague in the health ministry to discuss issues such as increasing surveillance with states to ensure that these convicts are integrated with their families.

As per the directives given by the apex judicial body, DEPwD is working with the health ministry to integrate the toll-free counselling programme Tele-MANAS," launched by the health ministry, into the "Manoashraya" portal to ensure that individuals in need have comprehensive access to mental health therapy at their fingertips. 

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/declared-fit-yet-3000-languishing-in-mental-health-centres-data/100059575 )