(a) whether there is any concrete policy for social, economic and health security of the person with disabilities in the country specially in Bihar;
(b) if so, the details thereof ; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
(a) whether there is any concrete policy for social, economic and health security of the person with disabilities in the country specially in Bihar;
(b) if so, the details thereof ; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)
(a) to (c) Yes, Sir.
The Central Government has enacted “The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016” which came into force on 19.04.2017. The Act is applicable all across the country including Bihar. The said Act mandates the appropriate Government to take measures to promote education, skill development, social security, health, rehabilitation and recreation. The act has a provision for reservation of 5% in higher studies. Employment being key to economic empowerment, the Act provides not less than 4% reservation for Persons with Benchmark disabilities (disability of 40% or more) in Government employment. Further, relief to the disabled is a State subject by virtue of entry 9 of State list of Constitution of India. However, the Central Government supplements the efforts of the States Government, including Bihar, through various schemes & programmes for empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) implements the following major schemes for empowerment of PwDs:
(i) Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP):
Under this scheme, funds are released to various implementing agencies to assist the needy persons with disabilities 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 throughout the country including the State of Bihar.
(ii) Skill Development for PwDs:
The Department launched the National Action Plan (NAP) for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in March, 2015 which is implemented across the country including Bihar, thereby ensuring there socio-economic security. Under NAP, skilling of PwDs is conducted through a network of empanelled training partners (ETPs) comprising Government organizations and Non–Government Organizations (NGOs). Also, the scheme caters to PwD trainees and endeavours to provide social and economic security to them by skilling them and enabling them to stand up on their own feet by promoting their gainful employment in the job sector.
(iii) Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) :
Through this scheme, grant-in-aid is provided to NGOs/voluntary organizations for projects relating to rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, aimed at enabling persons with disabilities to reach their optimal, physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric or social functional level.
(iv) Scholarships for Students with Disabilities:
The Department implements another Central Sector Umbrella Scheme, “Scholarships for Students with Disabilities” across the country including Bihar with the following components:
1. Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities (SwDs) (For Class IX & X).
2. Post-Matric Scholarship for SwDs (For Class XI to Post-graduate Degree/Diploma).
3. Top Class Education Scholarship for SwDs (For Graduate and Post-graduate Degree/Diploma in notified Institutes of excellence in Education).
4. National Overseas Scholarship (For Master’s Degree/Ph.D. in Foreign Universities).
5. National Fellowship for PwDs (For M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Indian Universities.
6. Free Coaching for SwDs (For recruitment examinations for Group A & B posts and entrance examinations for admission in technical and professional courses).
(v) Accessible India Campaign(AIC) :
AIC launched on 03.12.2015 as a nation-wide flagship campaign for achieving universal accessibility. The campaign focuses on enhancing the accessibility of built environment, transport system and information & communication eco-system for the benefit of Persons with Disabilities.
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