(a) whether any survey has been conducted to ascertain the number of mentally retarded
and differently abled persons in the country;
(b) if so, the details and the outcome thereof, State-wise; and
(c) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to enhance the physical, social
and psychological rehabilitation of the differently abled persons?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI P. BALRAM NAIK)
(a) & (b) : Data on persons with disabilities are available from two sources:- (i) Census,
2001, and (ii) National Sample Survey, 58th Round, conducted by the National Sample Survey
Organisation (NSSO) in 2002. Total number of persons with disabilities in the Country as
per these two sources is 2.19 crore and 1.84 crore respectively.
As regards State-wise and disability wise data, State-wise population of persons with
disabilities as per Census, 2001, is given in Annex.-I. However, NSSO, 2002, gives only
State-wise number of persons with disabilities per lakh population. This information is
given in Annex.-II.
(c): Steps being taken by the Central Government for the physical, social and psychological
rehabilitation of persons with disabilities are as under: -
(i) The Ministry provides grants-in-aid to State Governments/ UTs, Universities,
Non-Governmental Organizations etc. for creation of barrier free environment, providing
assistive devices, special education, vocational training, pre-school and early intervention
programmes, etc. under various schemes.
(ii) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan aims at universal inclusive education upto class VIII of children
with disabilities. A new scheme of Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary State (IEDSS)
has been introduced in 2009-10 for students with disabilities studying in Class IX-XII with the
aim to enable them to pursue secondary schooling in an inclusive environment.
(iii) The Ministry supports seven autonomous National Institutes which provide rehabilitation
services, carry out research & development work, and undertake manpower development with regard
to various types of disabilities.
(iv) National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) provides concessional
credit for income generating activities for self-employment.
(v) 20 Vocational Rehabilitation Centres (VRCs) have been established in 19 States by the
Ministry of Labour and Employment to provide vocational training to persons with disabilities.
(vi) The Ministry has established eight Composite Regional Centres (CRCs) at Srinagar,
Sundernagar, Bhopal, Lucknow, Guwhati, Patna, Ahmedabad and Khozikode for providing
rehabilitation services to persons with various types of disabilities.
(vii) In addition to the approved District Disability Rehabilitation Centres, the Ministry
has established 47 new District Disability Rehabilitation Centres (DDRCs).
(viii) Schemes implemented by National trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral
Palsy, Mental Retardation & Multiple Disabilities (a statutory body under the Department of
Disability Affairs)
(a) Aspiration – Early Intervention Program (Day Care Centre)
The Scheme Aspiration-for school readiness by early intervention has been conceived for children
upto 6 years of age with `Developmental Disability` and aims at engaging with these young
children and their parents to make them ready for schooling. At present, there are 79 centres
across the country.
(b) Samarth (Residential Care Scheme)
It provides safety net to families in crisis by providing short term and long term stay
facilities for adults and destitute children. There are 119 such Centres in the country with
a capacity of 30 beneficiaries each
(c) Niramaya (Health Insurance Scheme)
Nirmaya is a health insurance scheme providing health insurance coverage of Rs. 1.0 lakh
irrespective of age. Other features are no pre-insurance medical test & treatment on
reimbursement basis. The scheme is free for BPL beneficiaries. However, premium of Rs.250
/- p.a. for family income upto Rs.15,000/- & Rs.500/-p.a. for others.
(d) Gyan Prabha (Scholarship Scheme)
Gyan Prabha scheme provides scholarship of Rs.1000/- per month for pursuing vocational
training/ professional courses leading to skill development and employment for Persons
with Disabilities.
(e) Sahyogi – Care Givers Training & Deployment Scheme
Under Sahyogi scheme, Care Givers Cell (CGCs) have been set up in selected NGO Centres across
the country to provide Care Givers Training Program by trained professionals. Training of
these professionals is being conducted in Delhi in batches. The registration of Care Givers
and enrolment of Care Seekers are being done in the CGCs.
(f) Uddyam Prabha (Incentive) Scheme
Under the Uddyam Prabha scheme, persons with disabilities covered under the National Trust Act
are given interest subsidy up to 5% in case of BPL and 3% in case of others if they avail loan
from banks or financial institutions for carrying out income generating ventures. Loan can
be availed individually or in a group of any size but the incentive is limited to 5 years on
loan up to Rs. 1 lakh per person.