MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SUSHRI PRATIMA BHOUMIK)
(a): Yes, Sir. the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is implementing a Central Sector Scheme, namely, Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) under which grant-in-aid is provided to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) running projects for the welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) aimed at enabling to reach and maintain their optimal, physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric or social functional levels.
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 etc.,
(vi) Rent for premise of the centre
A statement indicating number of schools and vocational training centres given grants under this scheme during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT- wise, against which GIA has been released under DDRS is at Annexure I and Annexure-II respectively.
(b): No, Sir. Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme is being implemented by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities since 1999. The scheme is very popular. For increasing awareness among Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the general 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 the 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. Recently, an awareness workshop has also been organized during 4th to 5th March, 2022 at Kewadia, Gujarat to sensitize the stakeholders about the scheme.
(c): During the last three years from 2019-20 to 2021-22 almost the entire budget allocation for the scheme utilized. Actual Expenditure under DDRS during the last three years is Rs. 285.73 crore against Revised budget allocation for Rs. 295.00 crore. Allocation of funds under DDRS, which actually depend on the recommended proposals received from the State/UT Governments, is not earmarked State/UT-wise.
(d): 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 the next financial year provided these are complete in all respects.
(e): Yes, Sir. A statement indicating number of DDRCs assisted by providing grant-in-aid State/UT-wise is at Annexure-III.
(f) Evaluation of the scheme is done from time to time. Recently, a Third Party Evaluation has been done in 2021-22 by National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development(NILERD), New Delhi, an autonomous body under NITI Aayog. As per the findings of the report, there is remarkable achievement made by the scheme in the life of persons with disabilities in the country because of its unique features and DDRCs has changed the normal life of the persons with disabilities with its wide range of activities and the objectives.
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