Lok Sabha Question No. 2355 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-04
Subject: Rehabilitation of Differently Abled
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: KIRIT SOMAIYA

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE  & EMPOWERMENT**

**DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2355**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2015**

**REHABILITATION OF DIFFERENTLY ABLED**

2355. DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA:

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

(a)  whether the Government is considering a pilot project for rehabilitation of the handicapped/accident victims by providing them Electronic/Modern Artificial Limbs and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether the Government has received any representation regarding this project and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is likely to implement this project through Artificial  Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) and if so, the details thereof; and

(d)  whether any MoU has been signed by ALIMCO with any foreign company for procurement of electronic/modern artificial limbs and if so, the details thereof and the action taken so far by the Government in this regard?

**ANSWER**

**Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment**

SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR

(a):  No, Sir.

(b): A letter dated 03.06.2015 has been received from Dr. Kirit Somaiya, MP (Lok Sahba) titled ‘modern artificial limbs project’ mainly forwarding list of 100 disabled who need modern artificial limbs, intimating that Mumbai Collector has been requested to transfer Rs.20 lakh to ALIMCO   for the project and 4 PSUs including Power Grid and NTPC have been requested to transfer CSR funds for the said project.

(c): The Ministry is implementing the Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) with the main objective to assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation by reducing the effects of disabilities and enhance their economic potential. The Scheme is being implemented through National Institutes/ Composite Regional Centres/Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO)/District Disability Rehabilitation Centres/State Handicapped Development Corporations/other local bodies/ NGOs.

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In the ADIP Scheme there is provision for financial assistance for modern assistive devices for PwDs.  The extent of financial support would be limited to Rs. 10,000 for each disability and Rs. 12,000 for students with disabilities in respect of devices costing up to Rs. 20,000. Further, all expensive items costing above Rs. 20,000, except cochlear implant, eligible for assistance under the scheme, subject to income ceiling, would be listed out. Government of India shall bear 50% of cost of these items and the remainder shall be contributed by either the State Govt. or the NGO or any other agency or by the beneficiary concerned subject to prior approval of Ministry on case to case basis; limited to 20% of the Budget under the Scheme.

ALIMCO attempts to make available High-end products through back-to-back outsourcing tie-up with manufacturers.

(d) ALIMCO has not signed any MoU with any foreign company for procurement of electronic/modern artificial limbs.  Recently, ALIMCO has published global notice inviting Expression of Interest from renowned manufacturers for business tie-up for procurement and fitment of high-end assistive devices including electronic artificial limbs.

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