Lok Sabha Question No. 2419 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Welfare of Divyangjan
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Gajendra  Singh Patel

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

## LOK SABHA

2419. Shri Gajendra Singh Patel:

## WILL THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT BE PLEASED TO STATE:

(a)  the details of schemes formulated by the Government for the welfare of divyangjan ;

(b) whether the Government proposes to implement any scheme to provide electrical tri-cycles to the divyangjan?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT

(SHRI B. L. VERMA)

(a) The Government enacted Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 which came into force on 19.04.2017. The no. of disabilities has been increased from 7 to 21. The said Act provides rights  and  entitlements  to  PwDs,  which,  inter-alia,  include  right  to  equality,  non-discrimination, protection  from  cruelty,  exploitation,  right  to  live  with  family  and  community,  access  to  justice, accessibility  in  voting,  legal  capacity,  legal  guardianship,  health,  education,  employment,  skill development, arts, sports, recreation, culture and participation in decision making process.

Section 34 of the said Act provides for 4 % reservation in the government employment to the persons with benchmark (40% or above) disabilities. Further, Section 32 of the said Act provides 5% reservation  in  government  or  government  aided  higher  educational  institutions  for  persons  with benchmark  disabilities.  Furthermore,  Section  37  of  the  said  Act  ensures  5%  reservation  in  poverty alleviation and developmental schemes to persons with bench mark disabilities.

Though, relief to the disabled is a State subject  by virtue of entry 9 of the State  List  of the Constitution  of  India,  the  Central  Government  supplements  the  efforts  of  the  State  Governments through  its  major  schemes  namely  Assistance  to  Disabled  Persons  for  Purchase/Fitting  of  Aids  and Appliances (ADIP), Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (SIPDA), Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) and Scholarship Schemes.

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2419

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2024

## WELFARE OF DIVYANGJAN

(i)      Assistance  to  Disabled  Persons  for  Purchase/Fitting  of  Aids  and  Appliance  (ADIP): The Department  Implements  ADIP  Scheme  throughout  the  country  through  various  Implementing Agencies viz., National Institutes/Composite Regional Centres/Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO)/District Disability Rehabilitation Centres/State Development Corporations  working  in  field  of  Disabilities/other  Local  Bodies/  Non-Governmental  Organizations (NGOs). Under the scheme, durable, modern and scientifically manufactured aids and assistive devices are provided to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) for promoting their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation, thereby reducing the effects of disabilities and enhancing their educational and economic potential. The funds are released to various Implementing Agencies for the purchase, fabrication, and distribution of such standard aids and appliances that are in conformity with the  objectives  of  the  Scheme.  Implementing  Agencies  take  care  of/  make  suitable  arrangements  for fitting and post-fitting care of aids and assistive devices distributed under the Scheme.

(ii) Deendayal  Divyangjan  Rehabilitation  Scheme  (DDRS):Under  the  Deendayal  Divyangjan Rehabilitation  Scheme  (DDRS),  financial  assistance  is  provided  to  the  voluntary  Organizations  for running various projects for the welfare/empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) including Special School for the   Children with Visual, Hearing and Intellectual disability including  Children with  Cerebral  Palsy  etc.,  aimed  at  enabling  them  to  maintain  their  optimal,  physical,  sensory, intellectual, psychiatric or social functional levels.

## (iii) Scholarship Schemes for Students with disabilities:

Under  this  Scheme,  the  Government  provides  scholarships  for  students  with  disabilities  such  as Prematric (for classes IX & X), Post-matric (from class XI up to Post Graduate degree/diploma level), Top  Class  Education  (Post  graduate  degree/diploma  in  notified  Institutes),  National  Fellowship (M.Phil  and  PhD  courses  in  Indian  Universities),  National  Overseas  Scholarship  (Masters  Degree/ Ph.D in Foreign Universities ).

The scholarship amount is released directly to the Students' bank account in DBT mode.

(iii) Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA): Under this Scheme, assistance is provided to State Governments and autonomous organizations/Institutions under Central or State Government/various implementing agencies for various activities relating to the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.  Major Components of Scheme for Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA) are:-

- (a) Creation of Barrier Free Environment for PwDs
- (b) National Action Plan for Skill Development
- (c) Accessible India Campaign (AIC)
- (d) Unique Disability Identity Card
- (e) Awareness Generation and Publicity Scheme

(iv) National  Action  Plan  for  Skill  Development :  The  Department  of  Empowerment  of  Persons with Disabilities launched the National Action Plan for Skill Development of PwDs (NAP-SDP) in 2015  to  enhance  skills,  employability,  and  self-reliance  among  PwDs  aged  15-59  years  through training  provided  by  empaneled  Government  and  Non-Government  Organizations  nationwide.  In September 2023, the PM-DAKSH Portal-DEPwD was introduced as a digital platform to streamline skilling and employment efforts. It includes two modules: Divyangjan Kaushal Vikas , offering skill training, and Divyangjan Rozgar Setu , connecting PwDs with geo-tagged employment opportunities across private companies in India.

Besides  above, The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) under  this  Department  provides  concessional  loans  to  empower  Persons  with  Disabilities  (PwDs). Key schemes of NDFDC include Divyangjan Swavalamban Yojana (DSY) , offering loans up to ₹50 lakh  for  income  generation,  education,  or  assistive  devices,  and Vishesh  Microfinance  Yojana (VMY) providing  loans  up  to  ₹60,000  for  small  businesses  through  Self-Help  Groups  and  partner agencies.

The National Trust , a statutory body under the Department, has formulated seven welfare schemes for persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability, and Multiple Disabilities: Disha (Early Intervention and School Readiness), Vikaas (Day Care), Disha-cum-Vikaas (Day Care), Samarth (Respite Care), Gharaunda (Group Homes for Adults), Samarth-cum-Gharaunda (Residential) and Niramaya (Health Insurance).

(b) The Department is implementing the Scheme of Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP Scheme) under which durable, modern and scientifically manufactured aids and assistive devices are provided to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) including motorized tricycles.

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