(a) whether the car manufacturing companies including those in the public sector have
stopped/reduced manufacturing of vehicles for the physically challenged persons;
(b) if so, whether the Government is aware of the difficulties being faced by the physically
challenged people without having suitable vehicles;
(c) if so, the action taken by the Government thereon; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to mitigate the problems of the handicapped people?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI ARUN YADAV)
(a)&(b): As per Society of Indian Automobile Manufactures (SIAM), the Indian automobile
manufacturers who were earlier providing vehicles with automatic transmission for physically
challenged persons had to discontinue the same since the demand for such vehicles is rare and
making them available “off the shelf†is not economically viable. However, SIAM has also informed
that the Indian Automobile industry is committed to manufacture such vehicles, on specific order,
to suit the disability of persons. Further, subsequent to the disinvestment of Maruti Udyog Ltd. (MUL), there are no car manufacturing companies in the Public Sector.
(c)&(d): The Government has been advising the car manufacturers to consider manufacturing at
least one or two models of their cars suitable to be driven by the physically challenged persons.
The Government of India is also providing excise duty concession on vehicles meant for physically
challenged people.