MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SUSHRI PRATIMA BHOUMIK)
(a): Ministry does not compile information relating to Students with disabilities. However, as per Census 2011, there are 12,44,402 Persons with Disabilities in the Odisha State. Under the Scholarship Schemes for Students with Disabilities, students with benchmark disability (disability of 40% or more) are eligible for scholarship. Number of Students with Disabilities benefited in the State of Odisha during last eight years is at Annexure. District-wise data is not being maintained.
(b) and (c): The number of Students with disabilities getting scholarship has increased from 16 during 2014-15 to 2,699 during 2021-22 in Odisha. With a view to ensure better coverage of these schemes, the Department has taken the following measures:-
(i) Until 2017-18, these six scholarship schemes, viz, Pre-matric, Post-matric, Top Class Education, National Fellowship, National Overseas and Free Coaching were implemented as stand alone schemes having separate budgets. From 1st April, 2018, all the six scholarship schemes have been merged into an Umbrella Scheme titled “Scholarship for Students with Disabilities” and have been registered on PFMS portal with a unique code for direct benefit transfer. The merger/unification of the schemes with effect from 2018-19 has been done to remove the demand-supply imbalance caused by budget allocation and streamline the implementation process. In the umbrella scheme, if there is surplus fund available in one segment that can be utilized in the other segment.
(ii) The Department issues advertisements in leading Newspapers across the country to increase awareness of these schemes amongst students and other stakeholders. All the other types of media are also tapped for spreading awareness.
(iii) Under the revised scheme implemented with effect from 01.04.2018, the amount of Pre-Matric & Post-Matric Scholarship has increased. Further, the number of slots in Pre-Matric scholarship has increased from 20,000 to 25,000 and in case of Top Class Education Scholarship scheme from 160 to 300. The number of slots allocated to Odisha State under Scholarship Schemes are as below:
Scheme Slots
Pre-Matric 928
Post-Matric 789
Top Class Education 14
(iv) Under National Overseas Scholarship, the applications can be submitted throughout the year.
(d) The other steps taken by the Government for comprehensive development of differently abled citizens:-
1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act was passed in 2016, which came into force from 19.04.2017. This increased the number of disabilities from 7 to 21. The Act has increased reservation in Government jobs from 3% to 4% and, in Government and Government aided higher educational institutions from 3% to 5%.
2. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has nine National Institutes which provide rehabilitation services, contribute to capacity building and promote research in the field of rehabilitation. Besides, there are 21 Composite Regional Centres which provide comprehensive rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities.
3. Centres for Disability Sports at Gwalior: With the main objective of providing persons with disabilities the training facilities at par with the latest in the world so as to enable them to effectively compete and win medals in Paralympics, Deaflympics, Special Olympics and other international events for sports persons with disabilities.
4. The Government is also implementing various schemes for the welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Details of some of the major schemes are as under:
(I) Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS): Under this Central Sector Scheme financial assistance is provided to Non-government Organizations (NGOs) and District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRCs) for the welfare of Persons with Disabilities PwDs).
(II) Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) Scheme: Under this Scheme, funds are released to various Implementing Agencies to assist the eligible persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) 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 enhancing their economic potential.
(III) Scheme for the Implementation of Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (SIPDA): Under the umbrella Scheme, financial assistance is provided for undertaking various activities outlined in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. The major components of the Scheme are as follows:
(i) Accessible India Campaign (AIC): The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 mandates accessibility under Section 40 to 46 of the Act. With a view to creating barrier free environment for independent and safe living of PwDs, Government launched the Accessible India Campaign (AIC) on 3rd December, 2015. AIC is being implemented under 3 pillars of built up environment, transportation system and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
(ii) National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs): The Government launched the National Action Plan (NAP) for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in March, 2015 for skilling of PwDs through a network of empanelled training partners (ETPs) comprising Government organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
(iii) Creation of barrier free environment for Persons with Disabilities: Under this scheme funds are provided to the States/UTs for creation of barrier free environment by mainly providing lifts, ramps accessible toilets, tactile flooring and accessible websites.
(iv) Unique Disability Identification (UDID) Project: Under this project, the Government is creating a national data base for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and issuing unique identification cards to them.
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