Question : SCHEMES FOR DISABLED PERSONS

(a) the details of the bodies/agencies engaged in implementing schemes/ programmes for the empowerment of persons with disabilities;

(b) the allocation, sanction and utilisation of funds by these agencies during the last three years and the current year;

(c) whether any review/social audit of schemes/programmes has been undertaken;

(d) if so, the outcome thereof; and

(e) the present status of the scheme of providing incentives to employers in the private sector employing persons with disabilities?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI D. NAPOLEON)

(a) to (b) As per entry No.9 of “List-II” in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, “Relief of the disabled” figures in the State List. The Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments through its various institutes/organizations. Seven National Institutes, National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation & Multiple Disabilities (a statutory body) and National Handicapped Finance Development Corporation (NHFDC) are implementing various schemes/ programmes for the empowerment of persons with disabilities. Statements indicating details of sanction/release of funds are at Annexure I(a) to I(c).

(c) & (d): The Ministry apart from regular monitoring also undertakes evaluation studies through independent research organizations to assess the impact of the schemes. These studies reveal that benefits are largely reaching to the targeted groups.

(e): Under the Scheme, 332 (upto 31.12.2011) and 918 (upto 31.1.2012) persons with disabilities have been registered by Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) respectively.