(a) whether the number of cases of mental retardation and disability has increased
during the last decade;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has formulated any scheme for the welfare and rehabilitation of mentally retarded and disabled persons;
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the amount spent on such schemes;
(e) whether the Government proposes to increase the budgetary allocation in this regard; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT(D. NAPOLEON)
(a) &(b) : The total number of persons with disability according to Census 2001 is
2,19,06,769, this includes 22,63,821 persons with mental disabilities. The disability
related data of Census 2011 is not available.
(c): The Department of Disability Affairs under the Ministry administers the following
schemes for the welfare and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, including persons
with mental disabilities: (i) Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)- Under the
Scheme, financial assistance is provided to Non-governmental organizations running various
projects for the welfare of persons with disabilities & (ii) Scheme of Assistance to
Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP)- Under the scheme,
assistance is provided to Implementing Agencies for providing aids and appliances to
persons with disabilities. Statement indicating details of grant released under these
schemes during the last three years and the current year is at Annexure.
Further, National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental
Retardation & Multiple Disabilities, a statutory body under the Ministry is implementing
various schemes for persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple
Disabilities under National Trust Act, 1999. These are (i) Gyan Prabha – a scholarship
scheme for education and vocational training (ii) Sahyogi – a scheme for training and
deployment of caregivers (iii) Aspiration – an early intervention/school readiness training
programme (iv) Samarth – a scheme for short term and long term stay facility for persons
with developmental disability &(v) Gharaunda – a scheme providing life long residential
facility for adults with developmental disabilities.
(d): Statements indicating grants released under DDRS and ADIP is at Annxure-I and under
Schemes of National Trust are at Annexure-II
(e) & (f): Enhancement of budget depends on factors like requirement, availability and
utilization of funds. Notwithstanding this the budget for the disability sector has been
increasing over the years.