Lok Sabha Question No. 239 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-05
Subject: Functioning of NHFDC
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: T. R. Paarivendhar

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

## LOK SABHA

## 239:  Dr. T.R. PAARIVENDHAR:

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

(a)  whether  the  National  Handicapped  Finance  and  Development  Corporation  (NHFDC)  is functioning  under  the  administrative  control  of  the  Ministry  of  Social  Justice  and  Empowerment and if so, the total number of such NHFDC that are functioning presently;

- (b) the motive and purpose for which the NHFDC has been constituted;
- (c) the total number of handicapped who got financial assistance from these NHFDC during the last five years; and
- (d) whether the Union Government has ever reviewed the functioning of these NHFDC and if so, the outcome of the reviews?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## (SUSHRI PRATIMA BHOUMIK)

(a) Yes , National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) [formerly National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC), a Central Public Sector Enterprises(CPSE)] is functioning under the administrative control of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and  Empowerment, Government of India.

There  is  only  one  NDFDC  functioning under  aegis  of Department  of  Empowerment  of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

(b) The  main  objects  of  NDFDC as  set  out  in  the  Memorandum  of  Association  of  NDFDC  is at Annexure-I.

(c) During the last five financial years (2018-19 to 2022-23), aggregate amount of Rs. 577.39 Crore has been released by NDFDC for the benefit of 82,850 PwDs under concessional loan schemes.

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 239

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.12.2023

## 'FUNCTIONING OF NHFDC'

(d) The functioning of NDFDC and its schemes are reviewed from time to time by the Department of  Empowerment  of  Persons  with  Disabilities  (Divyangjan),  Ministry  of  Social  Justice  and Empowerment, Government of India as well the  Board  of NDFDC.

In addition, NDFDC organizes conferences/ workshops of its Implementing Agencies and the implementation of its schemes is reviewed by CMD, NDFDC.

Based on recommendation/suggestion in review meetings, following steps have been taken;

## i)    Change of name:

The name of the Corporation changed from National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation to National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation(NDFDC).

## ii) Rebate in interest rate for timely repayment:

Rebate in interest rate has been allowed to beneficiaries who repaid loan timely, without any default.

## iii) UDID No./UDID Enrolment No.:

In order to bring in transparency and support Government initiatives, UDID no./UDID enrolment no. has been made mandatory for Divyangjans for availing assistance under NDFDC scheme.

## iv) Incentives to implementing agencies:

Incentive  is  provided  to  implementing  agency  to  encourage  more  disbursement  and  good recoveries of loan.

## v) Support for Awareness Creation:

Grants support is provided for awareness creation and market intervention measures.

## vi) Simplification/Consolidation of schemes:

Various Schemes of the Corporation were revisited and consolidated into two schemes; i.e.,  an individual centric scheme known as 'Divyangjan Swablamban Yojana' and a group based scheme 'Vishesh Micro Finance Yojana'. Also, a new Guideline for Credit Based Funding was brought in, to enhance the outreach to persons with disabilities.

## vii)  Increase in upper limit of loan:

Upper loan limit has been enhanced from Rs. 25.0 lakh to Rs. 50.00 lakh.

## ix) Enhancement of activities area:

Activities area under NDFDC scheme has been enhanced.  Now, loan under NDFDC scheme can be extended for starting any activity contributing directly or indirectly in the income generation or helping PwD in their overall process of empowerment.

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## Annexure-I

## Annexure referred to in reply to part (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.239 for answer on 05.12.2023

## NATIONAL DIVYANGJAN FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Formerly National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation)

The main objects to be pursued by the company on its incorporation are:

1. To promote economic developmental activities for the benefit of the handicapped persons.
2.  To  promote  self-employment  and  other  ventures  for  the  benefit/economic  rehabilitation  of  the handicapped persons.
3.  To  assist,  subject  to  such  income  and/or  economic  criteria  as  may  be  prescribed   by  the Government from time to time, the handicapped individuals or groups of handicapped individuals by way of loans and advances for economically and financially viable schemes and projects.
4.  To  grant  concessional finance in selected  cases for the handicapped persons in    the country in collaboration with Government Ministries/Deptts. State level to the extent of the budgetary assistance granted by the Government of India to the Company.
5.  To  extend  loans  to  the  handicapped  for  pursuing  general/  professional/technical  education  for training at graduate and higher levels.
6. To assist in the up gradation of technical and entrepreneurial skills of    handicapped persons for proper and efficient management of production units.
7.  To set up training, quality control, process development, technology, common facility centres and other infrastructural activities for the proper rehabilitation/upliftment of the handicapped persons in support of their    economic pursuits.
8. To assist the State level organizations to deal with the development of the handicapped persons by way of providing financial assistance and in obtaining commercial funding or by way of refinancing.
9.  To  work  as  an  apex  institution  on  the  lines  of  National  Scheduled  Castes  &  Scheduled  Tribes Finance and Development Corporation for channelizing the funds through State Finance Corporations  for  the  Handicapped  or  through  corresponding  Corporations  authorized  by  State Govts./Boards set up by Union Government/State Government/ Union Territory Administrations and Voluntary  Organizations.  The  NATIONAL  DIVYANGJAN  FINANACE  AND  DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION  will  receive proposals for financial assistance through above mentioned organizations  and  sanction  loans  and  margin  money  to  the  beneficiaries  for  disbursement  through these  organizations.  The  NATIONAL  DIVYANGJAN  FINANACE  AND  DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION   will also coordinate and monitor the schemes/ programmes implemented through authorized  State  Finance  &  Development  Corporations/Boards/UT  Administration  and  NGOs, financed by the Corporation.

10.  To  assist  self-employed  individuals/group  of  individuals  or  registered  factories/ companies/cooperatives of disabled persons in marketing their finished goods    and assist in procurement of raw materials.

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