Lok Sabha Question No. 1489 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-09
Subject: Benefits to Weaker Sections
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. - 1489

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 09/12/2025

## BENEFITS TO WEAKER SECTIONS

1489. Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that Persons with disabilities, Senior citizens, Scheduled Castes and other disadvantaged sections are facing difficulties in getting benefits of welfare schemes like pension distribution, certificate generation, availability of assistive devices and rehabilitation services in Uttar Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Union Government has recently undertaken any review of social justice schemes being  run  in  various  States  to  ensure  progress,  transparency  and  access  to  beneficiaries particularly in Uttar Pradesh, if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether the Government proposes any new initiatives in the near future to further strengthen digital  services  and  social  security  programmes  for  the  disabled,  senior  citizens  and  weaker sections?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  &  (b)       Relief to  the  disabled is  a State subject. Hence all the  efforts and details of  Uttar Pradesh  Government  in  terms  of  the implementation  status  of  welfare  schemes  like  pension distribution, disability certificates, assistive devices, and rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities, senior citizens, scheduled castes and other disadvantaged sections is maintained by the State government.

As per available records in the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), over 16 lakh UDID cards have been generated and issued in State of Uttar Pradesh as of date. For persons with disabilities, under the ADIP Scheme, modern aids and appliances are provided  through  implementing  agencies  and  permanent  Pradhan  Mantri  Divyasha  Kendras including in nine (9) PMDKs in Uttar Pradesh. From 2022-2025, ADIP camps in Uttar Pradesh utilized over Rs.205 crore across 859 camps benefitting 1.4 Lakh beneficiaries. For 2022-2025, RVY  (Rashtriya  Vayoshri  Yojana)  camps  in  Uttar  Pradesh  benefitted  68,967  senior  citizens across 252 camps. An amount of Rs.46.44 crore stands disbursed under the Scholarship Scheme of DEPwD to 8918 students with disabilities in the State of Uttar Pradesh from 2023-24 to 202526. There are three (3 ) Cross Disability Early Intervention Centres (CDEICs) in Uttar Pradesh providing early screening, therapy and counselling for young children.

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) implements schemes like PM-AJAY, scholarships, free coaching, SHRESHTA, SMILE etc. In respect of senior citizens DoSJE also supplements the State Government's efforts through its Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) components, under which 50 old-age homes are operational in Uttar Pradesh as on date.

The schemes are regularly reviewed by DEPwD with all concerned officials of different State  departments.  ADIP,  Scholarship,  DDRS,  IPSrC,  SMILE  etc.  are  some  such  regularly monitored schemes.

(c)         To   strengthen  digital  services  and  social  security  programmes  several  initiatives  are taking  place. MeitY's SugamyaWeb  accessibility  testing  tool in  line  with  WCAG  2.1  AA,  is helping accessibility audits and certifications of Government/private websites faster, Bhashini' initiative is helping to enhance multilingual access to e-services. DoSJE has launched a Senior Citizen  Portal  as  a  one-stop  digital  platform  providing  information  on  all  welfare  schemes, services,  and  grievance  redressal  mechanisms.  ALIMCO  under  DEPwD  is  implementing  AI Accessibility Mission and Mission AI-Driven Assistive Technology. National Scholarship Portal (NSP) under DEPwD has been strengthened with OTR, bio and face authentication, and NSPUDID portal integration.

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