Lok Sabha Question No. 603 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Accessibility of Public Offices and Hearing Assistive Devices in Chandigarh
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Manish Tewari

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 603

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 03/02/2026

## ACCESSIBILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICES AND HEARING ASSISTIVE DEVICES IN CHANDIGARH

## 603. SHRI MANISH TEWARI :

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

- (a)  the  extent  of  coverage  of  the  Sugamya  Bharat  Abhiyan  (Accessible  India  Campaign)  in public  offices  in  Chandigarh-  number  of  offices  audited,  percentage  found  fully  accessible (ramps,  accessible  toilets,  low  counters,  signage,  digital  accessibility)  and  dates  of  the  latest audits;
- (b)  the  details  of  availability  and  provisioning  mechanisms  for  implants  and  assistive  hearing devices (cochlear implants, bone-anchored devices, prescription hearing aids a artificial/assistive hearing devices) in Chandigarh- number provided under central/state schemes, waiting lists and financial assistance norms;
- (c)  the  grievance  redressal  and  monitoring  mechanism  for  accessibility  and  device-supply complaints, and corrective actions taken in Chandigarh during the last two years; and
- (d) the steps being taken to ensure quality standards, local availability and timely repair/maintenance of assistive hearing devices"

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B L VERMA)

(a):   Since  'Works,  lands  and  buildings  vested  in  or  in  the  possession  of  the  State'  is  a  State subject, and as per Sections 41, 44 and 45 of The Rights Of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the appropriate government is responsible to take steps to ensure accessible built infrastructure, transport systems and accessible ICT for PwDs and is also responsible to conduct regular social audits/assessments and such data regarding the same is not maintained centrally

To facilitate the central government departments/ministries, States/UTs, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) implements an Umbrella Scheme- Scheme for  Implementation  of  Rights  of  Persons  with  Disabilities  (SIPDA)  Act,  2016  having  a  subcomponent called- 'Scheme for Creation of Barrier Free Environment' (CBFE Scheme) through which financial assistance is provided to State/UT Governments on demand-basis for creation of barrier free environment on receipt of compliant proposals.

(b): Under the Scheme of 'Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and  Appliances  (ADIP)'  funds  are  released  to  various  Implementing  Agencies  for  providing different types of aids  & assistive devices including Hearing Aid and Cochlear Implant to the eligible Divyangjan across the country.

Eligible  beneficiaries  must  possess  a  UDID  card  (or  enrollment  number)  along  with  a  valid Disability  Certificate  indicating  at  least  40%  disability  and  should  not  have  availed  similar assistance during the preceding three years; for children below 18 years, the minimum interval is one year for customised devices. Under the Scheme, beneficiaries with a monthly income up to ₹22,500/-  are  eligible  for  100%  subsidy,  while  those  with  income  between  ₹22,501/-  and ₹30,000/- are eligible for 50% subsidy. Financial assistance for cochlear implantation, including surgery, therapy, mapping, travel and pre-implant assessment, is provided up to ₹7.00 lakh per unit for children aged 1-5 years with pre-lingual hearing loss and up to ₹6.00 lakh per unit for children aged 5-18 years with acquired hearing loss.

Hearing aids and other assistive devices costing up to ₹15,000/- per unit are covered under the Scheme, subject to approved specifications and price ceilings

During the  last  two  years,  330  Numbers  of  Hearing  Aid  distributed  and  02  Cochlear  Implant Surgeries has been conducted under the ADIP Scheme in Chandigarh.

The  aids  and  assistive  devices,  including  cochlear  implants,  are  provided  under  the  ADIP Scheme on first-come-first-serve basis subject to eligibility and availability of funds under the Scheme.

(c): Sugamya Bharat App (SBA), is a crowd sourcing mobile application which serves as an online platform across India for citizens to report any kind of accessibility barriers . It is available on both iOS and android platforms.

ALIMCO  has  a  dedicated  Customer  Relationship  Management  (CRM)  system,  along  with helpline  numbers  to  strengthen  grievance  redressal  and  after-sales  service  for  addressing complaints relating to assistive devices under the ADIP Scheme.

Further, ALIMCO has established several Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendras (PMDK) across the country  including  one  in  Chandigarh  to  extend  its  services  and  to  provide  aids  and  assistive devices  under  the  ADIP  Scheme  of  the  Government  of  India.  The  PMDK  also  serves  as  a facilitation  and  grievance  redressal  point  for  beneficiaries.  In  addition,  the  nearest  Auxiliary Production Centre of ALIMCO is located at Mohali, which also assists beneficiaries in resolving issues related to the assistive devices provided to them.

Apart from the above, grievances are also addressed through the CPGRAMS portal.

(d): Under the ADIP Scheme, all aids and assistive devices are required to have due certification and  carry  a  minimum  one-year  warranty  for  repair  or  replacement.  ALIMCO,  the  major implementing agency, ensures quality standards, ISI-certified hearing aids, local availability, and timely  repair  and  maintenance  through  its  Pradhan  Mantri  Divyasha  Kendra  (PMDK)  in Chandigarh,  with  centralized  technical  support  from  its  headquarters  at  Kanpur.  Cochlear implants  are  covered  under  the  manufacturer's  warranty  for  repair  or  replacement  of  defects, ensuring continued functionality and beneficiary support.

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