MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI MUKUL WASNIK)
(a) & (b) No, Madam.
(c) to (e) National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and
Multiple Disabilities is a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment set up
under the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and
Multiple Disabilities Act (Act 44 of 1999), 1999. It has been implementing various rehabilitation/welfare
schemes, which takes care of autistic children also. The details thereof are at Annexure.
Annexture
Annexure referred to in part (c) to (e) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.29 for 01.08.2011
1. Aspiration- Day Care Centre Scheme (Early Intervention Programme)
The Scheme has been conceived for children with `Developmental Disability` upto 6 years of age with the
aim of working with these children and their parents to make them ready for schooling. At present, there
are 79 centres across the country.
2. Samarth - Residential Care Scheme
The main objective of the scheme is to provide safety net to families in crisis. It provides both short
term and long term stay facilities for adults and destitute children. There are 119 such Centres in the
country with a maximum of 30 beneficiaries (24 resi4ential and remaining 6 for day care only). Vocational
training is also provided under the scheme. There are so far 3362 beneficiaries, including 1988 of difficult
categories like autism, cerebral palsy or severe mental disability,
3. Niramaya - Health Insurance Scheme
This Scheme for persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation & Multiple Disabilities was launched
in 2007 for two years in 10 selected districts of 10 States, but was extended to the entire country (except
J&K). It provides for health insurance coverage of Rs. 1.0 lakh to such persons irrespective of age. Further,
there is no exclusion of pre-existing medical conditions & no pre-insurance medical test. Cashless treatment
is provided in case of empanelled hospitals and on reimbursement basis in others anywhere in the country.
Presently, the scheme is totally free to BPL beneficiaries and is available at a nominal premium of Rs. 250/-
p.a, for family income up to Rs. 15000 per month and Rs. 500/- p,a. for higher family income. So far 96,415
beneficiaries have been enrolled under the Scheme across the country and the total claim settled so far to
the beneficiaries is Rs. 2.83 crore for more than 6000 cases.
4. ARUNIM
Association for Rehabilitation under National Trust Initiative of Marketing is a step towards Economic
Empowerment of persons with moderate to severe disabilities, who have limited opportunities for open
placement. It operates as an independent Marketing Channel for persons employed in sheltered/supported
work environments by facilitating skill development, innovative product design and development, adaptations
and mechanization wherever appropriate and feasible. ARUNIM is working with 162 partner NGOs throughout the
country.
5. Gyan Prabha (Scholarship Scheme)-
The scheme provides financial assistance for pursuing vocational training / professional courses leading
to skill development and employment for Persons with Disabilities. Financial assistance @ Rs. 700 p.m. is
provided under the scheme.
6. Sahyogi — Care Givers Training & Deployment Scheme
Under the scheme, Care Givers Cell (CGCs) have been set up in selected NGO Centers across the country to
provide Care Givers Training Program by the trained professionals. The training of these professionals are
being conducted in Delhi in batches. The registration of Care Givers and enrolment of Care Seekers are being
done in the CGCs. So far, 40 CGCs have been sanctioned out of which 38 CGCs have been set up in the country.
Care Givers deployed`are paid wages by the Care Seekers.
(f) and (g) Does not arise.
