Question : CATERING THE NEEDS OF MENTALLY ILL AND SPASTIC PERSONS

(a) whether the Government has any special schemes to cater the needs of the mentally ill, spastic persons, young widows, destitute women and visually affected/blind persons in the country, State-wise particularly in Tamil Nadu;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the steps taken by the Government to promote industrial projects to provide service and opportunities for the above mentioned categories;

(d) the details of the amount allocated, disbursed and utilized for the same in the last 3 years;

(e) whether the Government both in Centre and State find it very difficult to monitor the performance of such industries; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the serious steps taken by the Government to fund and monitor such industries?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT (DR. SANJAY PASWAN)

(a) & (b) A number of schemes and programmes are being implemented all over the country, including the State of Tamil Nadu for education, training and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, through the National Institutes, Composite Rehabilitation Centres, Regional Rehabilitation Centres and District Disability Rehabilitation Centre. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO)s are also assisted under the Scheme to promote Voluntary Action for Persons with Disabilities(Umbrella Scheme), Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) and Scheme of General Grant in Aid Programme for financial Assistance in the field of Social Defence for rehabilitation of widows, orphans and old persons. Soft loans are also provided by National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) for self-employment ventures. A total amount of Rs.686.82 lakhs has been released to Tamil Nadu in 2001-2002 for programmes for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, under the Schemes of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Department of Women and Child Development is also implementing a special scheme Swadhar for women in difficult circumstances from the year 2001-2002.

(c) to (f) The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 mandates appropriate Governments and local Authorities to frame schemes in favor of persons with disabilities for the preferential allotment of land at concessional rates, inter-alia, for setting up business and establishment of factories by entrepreneurs with disabilities. The National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) set up in 1997 provides loan to persons with 40% or above disability for setting up small business in service or trading sector, small industrial units, manufacturing/production unit of assistive devices for disabled persons and also for agricultural activities etc. The details of the amount disbursed including that for micro-lending activities of NHFDC in the last three years is as under:

Amount (Rs. In Lakhs)
Year	Disbursed
1999-00	576.02	2000-01	1,180.87	2001-02	1,284.32