Lok Sabha Question No. 4471 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-23
Subject: Development Schemes for Poor and Houseless Handicapped Persons
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeshwara

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4471 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 23.03.202 [

## Development Schemes for Poor and Houseless Handicapped Persons

## 4471. SHRI G.M: SIDDESHWAR:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

(a whether the Government has taken note of the need for suitable development schemes for poor and houseless handicapped persons and if so. the details thereof;

(b) the measures being taken by the Government to the poor and houseless handicapped persons, financially and economically; and uplift

(c) whether the National Handicapped Finance and  Development Corporation (NHFDC) has also requested the Government to evolve suitable schemes for developmentupliftment of poor and houseless handicapped persons and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

(a) and (b) Relief to the persons with disabilities is a State subject by virtue of entry *9 of the State list of the Constitution of India: However; the Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments for the welfare of persons with disabilities. The Ministry. in 2014, wrote to States/UTs to frame suitable schemes exclusively to take care of homeless persons with intellectual disabilities to enable them to live a dignified life.

The National Trust for the welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation Mental   Disabilities; a Statuary Body under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), is implementing following schemes with view to providing rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities:

- Samarth (Respite Care Residential   Scheme): To provide   respite homes for   orphans; abandoned, families in crisis and also for persons with disabilities from Below Poverty Line and Low Ineome Group families including destitute  with at least one of the four disabilities covered under National Trust Act, 1999.
- ii) Gharaunda (Group Home for Adults Scheme): To provide an assured home and minimum quality care services throughout the life of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities. The scheme also facilitates establishment of infrastructure for the assured care system throughout the country, encourage assisted living with independence and dignity and provide care services on a sustainable basis: requisite

In addition to above, the Department also implements various schemes/projects including through its   National Institutes, National  Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Mental Retardation & Mental Disabilities; National Handicapped Finance and   Development Corporation (NHFDC) and Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India as well as through State Governments/ autonomous bodiesl organizations/institutes and Non-Governmental Organizations  (NGOs) for the welfare   and   rehabilitation Disabilities (PwDs) including those poor and homeless. Palsy,

The Department also implements the National Action Plan (NAP) for Skill Development of Persons under which skilling  of PwDs a network of empanelled   training   partners comprising Government   organizations and non-Governmental organizations

NHFDC, a Central Public Sector Enterprises under the Department, provides financial assistance in terms of loan to persons with disabilities for starting any activity contributing directly or indirectly in the income generation or helping PwDs in their overall progress of empowerment and higher education through implementing agencies throughout the country.

The Central Government through the Ministry of Rural Development implements the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), a component under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP): Under this  Scheme, central assistance 300/ per month is provided to persons 18-79 with severe or multiple disabilities and belonging to the family living below poverty line as per the criteria prescribed by the Government of India. After attaining the age of 80 years, the pension amount is enhanced to Rs.SOO/- per month: aged years been to 7.73 lakh existing beneficiaries of Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme in two equal installments of Rs 500/- each under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) a special package announced for poor during COVID-[9 lockdown. paid

- (c) Sir. No,

****