Question : CERTIFICATE AND PENSION TO HANDICAPPED PERSONS

(a) whether the Government is aware that handicapped persons are facing difficulties in obtaining handicapped certificate and pension and there is no clear cut rehabilitation policy in this regard in the country as appeared in the Dainik Jagran dated February 03, 2007;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the remedial measures taken by the Government in this regard; and

(d) the extent of financial assistance and other relief including pension provided to the handicapped persons and the details of the benefits received by them from the Union and State Government, State-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SMT. SUBBULAKSHMI JAGADEESAN)

(a) to (c) The Government has issued guidelines for evaluation & assessment of various disabilities for issue of disability certificates and the States/UTs have constituted medical boards at the district level for issue of these certificates. Camps are being organized at block/panchayat level for the purpose particularly in the remote areas. Necessary guidelines have been issued to the States/UTs to ensure issue of the disability certificates with least difficulty and in shortest possible time. National Policy for Persons with Disabilities has been adopted in February, 2006, which deals with all aspects including rehabilitation.

(d)Disability pension/Unemployment allowance to the persons with disabilities is provided by the State Governments/UT Administrations, details with regard to which are at Annex. I.

Sl.	STATES/UTs	Status regarding grant of	unemployment allowance and	disability pension
1.	ANDHRA PRADESH	Unemployment Allowance of Rs. 75/- pm.	Disability Pension of Rs.125/-pm.
2.	CHHATTISGARH	Disability Pension of Rs. 150/- pm.
3.	DELHI	Unemployment allowance of Rs 350/- p.m.
4.	GOA	Disability pension of Rs.750/- p.m.	with 5% annual increase
5.	HARYANA	Disability Pension of Rs. 600/- p.m.
6.	JAMMU & KASHMIR	Disability Pension of Rs. 300/- p.m.
7.	KERALA	Special pension scheme for disabled	persons having an annual	family income of Rs. 12,000 or less.
8.	MIZORAM	Disability Pension of Rs. 100/- p.m.
9.	MEGHALAYA	Disability Pension of Rs. 50/- p.m.
10.	NAGALAND	Disability Pension of Rs. 100/- p.m
11.	ORISSA	Disability Pension of Rs. 100/- p.m.
12.	PUNJAB	Disability Pension of Rs. 250/- p.m	Unemployment Allowance of Rs. 150/- to Rs.	600/- p.m. depending upon the educational qualification.
13.	RAJASTHAN	Disability Pension of Rs. 200 p.m.
14.	SIKKIM	Subsistence allowance of Rs. 500/- p.m. to 1500	persons with disabilities at any given time	due to limited budget.
15.	TAMIL NADU	Unemployment allowance of Rs. 400/- to Rs. 500/- pm	depending upon educational qualification.
16.	TRIPURA	Unemployment allowance of Rs. 500/- p.m. to	blind persons. Blind persons below poverty	line are given unemployment allowance of	Rs.1000/- p.m. and disability pension of	Rs. 300/- p.m. to all disabled persons.
17.	Uttar Pradesh	Disability pension of Rs. 125/- p.m.
18.	UTTARANCHAL	Disability Pension of Rs. 400/- p.m.
19.	WEST BENGAL	Disability Pension of Rs. 500/- p.m. to a fixed	number of disabled persons due to limited funds..
20.	A & N ISLANDS	Unemployment allowance Rs. 100/- p.m.
21.	CHANDIGARH	Unemployment allowance of Rs. 150/- to Rs. 400/- p.m.	depending upon educational qualification.
22.	LAKSHADWEEP	Disability Pension of Rs. 100/- p.m.
23.	PONDICHERRY	Unemployment allowance of Rs. 200/- to Rs. 500/- p.m.	depending upon educational qualification.