Lok Sabha Question No. 2428 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-03
Subject: Walking Sticks for Visually Challenged Population
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: T.R.V.S. Ramesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (DIVYANGJAN) MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2428 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2021

## Walking Sticks for Visually Challenged Population

## 2428. SHRI TRV.S: RAMESH:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased t0 state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes t0 implement new technology for providing improved walking sticks for the Visually Challenged population in India; if so, the details thereof:
- Government has   identified any organisation or agency for   manufaeturing battery/cell-operated walking sticks for the visually challenged population, if so. thereof;
- whether the Government proposes to extend financial assistance to such organization on basis in case any organization is manufacturing walking sticks (or the pilot visually challenged population: such project
- (d) the number of visually challenged population in India; both State-wise and district wise: and
- (e) the various Government and private agencies engaged in the welfare activities for Ihe visually challenged people in India?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## (SUSHRI PRATIMA BHOUMIK)

(a The Government is providing smart cane to persons with visual disabilities under the Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for   Purchase/Fitting of Aids (ADIP) .

The smart cane is operated with rechargeable battery and sensor fitted in its upper part which vibrates in case of any obstacle in front of the user: The cane is foldable and can easily be kept in the bag:

At present, smart canes are procured from domestic by the implementing agencies. supplier being

The details of Smart Canes distributed during the last three years are as under:

| Year   |   Number of' Smart Canes Idistributed |
|--------|---------------------------------------|
|        |                                  7737 |
|        |                                  6259 |
|        |                                  5288 |
| Total  |                                 19284 |

(6). No, Sir:

Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (a Central Public Sector However. is in the process of designing and developing a smart cane Enterprise under the Department) production will begin for distribution from its own resources. Once fully developed, its mass under the ADIP Scheme.

(e) No, Sir:

As Census 2011, the number of' persons with visual disability is 50.33.431. (d). per

State ~wise details are at Annexure district-wise details are available on the website of the Registrar General of India The

of Services for the Blind and Low Vision Persons in India has been by (e): A directory of Persons with Visual  Disabilities (Divyangjan the National Institute for the Empowerment Uttarakhand, an autonomous body under this Department: The Directory incorporates Dehradun; information on visual disabilities. Details can Idirectory of services pdfldirectory) compiled

|                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                             | Annexure]                                                                                                                   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| to Annexure referred to in reply Walking Sticks for Visually Challenged for answer on 03.08.2021  regarding Population part | to Annexure referred to in reply Walking Sticks for Visually Challenged for answer on 03.08.2021  regarding Population part | to Annexure referred to in reply Walking Sticks for Visually Challenged for answer on 03.08.2021  regarding Population part |
|                                                                                                                             | As per census 2011, Challenged Population Visually                                                                          | As per census 2011, Challenged Population Visually                                                                          |
| S.No_                                                                                                                       | Name of StatelUTs                                                                                                           | 1084                                                                                                                        |
|                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                             | 398144                                                                                                                      |
| 2                                                                                                                           | JANDHRA PRADESH                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                             |
| 3                                                                                                                           | JARUNACHAL PRADESH                                                                                                          | 80553                                                                                                                       |
| 4                                                                                                                           | ASSAM                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                             |
| 5                                                                                                                           | BIHAR                                                                                                                       | 1774                                                                                                                        |
| 6                                                                                                                           | ICHANDIGARH                                                                                                                 | 111169                                                                                                                      |
| 7                                                                                                                           | JCHHATTISGARH                                                                                                               | 4291                                                                                                                        |
| 8                                                                                                                           |                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                             |
| 9                                                                                                                           | [AMAN & DIU                                                                                                                 | 30124                                                                                                                       |
| 10                                                                                                                          | NCT OF DELHI                                                                                                                | 4964                                                                                                                        |
| 11                                                                                                                          | IGOA                                                                                                                        | 214150                                                                                                                      |
| 12                                                                                                                          | IGUJARAT                                                                                                                    | 82702                                                                                                                       |
| 13                                                                                                                          | HARYANA                                                                                                                     | 26076                                                                                                                       |
| 14                                                                                                                          | HIMACHAL PRADESH                                                                                                            | 664481                                                                                                                      |
| 15                                                                                                                          | JJAMMU & KASHMIR                                                                                                            | 180721                                                                                                                      |
| 16                                                                                                                          | JHARKHAND                                                                                                                   | 264170                                                                                                                      |
| 17                                                                                                                          | JKARNATAKA                                                                                                                  | 115513                                                                                                                      |
| 18                                                                                                                          | KKERALA                                                                                                                     | 337                                                                                                                         |
| 19                                                                                                                          | EAKSHADWEEP                                                                                                                 | 270751                                                                                                                      |
| 20                                                                                                                          | MADHYA PRADESH                                                                                                              | 574052                                                                                                                      |
| 21                                                                                                                          | MAHARASHTRA                                                                                                                 | 19194                                                                                                                       |
| 22                                                                                                                          | MANIPUR                                                                                                                     | 6980                                                                                                                        |
| 23                                                                                                                          | MEGHALAYA                                                                                                                   | 20351                                                                                                                       |
| 24                                                                                                                          | MIZORAM                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                             |
|                                                                                                                             | NNAGALAND                                                                                                                   | 2637991                                                                                                                     |
| 26                                                                                                                          | JODISHA                                                                                                                     | 3608                                                                                                                        |
| 27                                                                                                                          | JPUDUCHERRY                                                                                                                 | 82199                                                                                                                       |
| 28                                                                                                                          | PUNJAB                                                                                                                      | 314618                                                                                                                      |
| 29                                                                                                                          | RAJASTHAN                                                                                                                   | 2772                                                                                                                        |
|                                                                                                                             | KSIKKIM                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                             |
| 31                                                                                                                          | TAMIL NADU                                                                                                                  | 10828                                                                                                                       |
| 32                                                                                                                          | TRIPURA                                                                                                                     | 763988                                                                                                                      |
| 33                                                                                                                          | JUTTAR PRADESH                                                                                                              | 29107                                                                                                                       |
| 34                                                                                                                          | JUTTARAKHAND                                                                                                                | 424473                                                                                                                      |
| 35                                                                                                                          | WEST BENGAL                                                                                                                 | 5033434]                                                                                                                    |