Question : Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme

(a) whether awareness regarding the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) among Non-Governmental Oganisations (NGOs) and the general public is very low;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether 90 per cent of the funds earmarked for rehabilitation scheme under DDRS have remained unspent;

(d) if so, the details of the funds earmarked to each State and UT during the years 2015-2016, 2016-2017 and 2017- 2018;

(e) the details of the major components of DDRS; and

(f) the details of the hindrances being faced in the implementation of the components of DDRS along with the steps taken by the Government to eliminate the hurdles being faced in this regard in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)

(a) & (b) Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme is being implemented by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities since 1999. The scheme is very popular and fund is being released to 600 Non-Governmental Organisation every year. For increasing awareness among the public about the scheme following steps are taken-

(i) Advertisement through newspapers of the scheme all over India.
(ii) The scheme is available on the website of Department www.disabilityaffairs.gov.in
(iii) The scheme is being implemented through an online portal called e-Anudan.
(iv) Conferences are conducted regularly in which representatives of NGOs, State Govt. Officials and District Social Welfare Officers are invited to participate. Two such conferences were held in Hyderabad and Mumbai in 2018-19.

(c) & (d) During the last three years from 2015-16 to 2017-18 almost the entire budget allocation for the scheme was utilized. Details of the Budget Estimate (BE)/Revised Estimate (RE) and actual expenditure under DDRS is as under-
(In Rs. Crore)
Year BE RE Actual Expenditure
2015-16 60.00 51.00 50.19
2016-17
45.00 45.00 45.00
2017-18
60.00 60.00 60.00
Total
165.00
156.00
155.19


A Statement indicating State/UTs wise grants-in-aid released to NGOs under DDRS is at Annexure-I.

(e) As per the DDRS Scheme norms 90% of the expenditure is provided to the implementing agencies in the form of grant-in-aid. In case of special areas like North Eastern states, States in the Himalayan Region, Left Wing Extremism affected areas and Districts adjoining international borders, 100% is provided. The grant-in-aid consists of the following major components-
(i) Honorarium and conveyance to staff
(ii) Transportation of beneficiaries
(iii) Stipend for beneficiaries/hostel maintenance
(iv) Cost of Raw Materials
(v) Contingencies to meet office expenses, electricity and water charges,
(vi) Rent for premise of the centre

(f) As per the scheme norms the recommendation of State Government is extremely crucial. However, in many cases State Govt. recommendation is received late, due to which release of grant-in-aid to NGOs gets delayed. However this does not result in the proposals getting barred by limitation of time since proposals which could not be taken up in a particular year are carried forward to next financial year provided these are complete in all respects.

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