Question : Empowerment of Differently Abled Persons

(a) the demography of differently-abled population in the country, category and State-wise;

(b) whether the Government has initiated new schemes for the differently-abled population in the country to ensure them safety and secured life;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the total amount allocated during the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(d) whether the Government has chalked out any plans to provide appropriate skill/vocational training and separate employment exchanges and counselling centres to create specific job opportunities for the differently-abled people in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(e) the steps taken/being taken to create community awareness sensitisation, social integration and to bring the differently-abled into the mainstream of the society and the progress made so far in this regard; and

(f) whether the Government has evolved an exclusive mechanism for monitoring and supervising the schemes implemented for the differently-abled and if so, the details thereof ?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)

(a) Category and State-wise population of persons with disabilities as per Census 2011 is at Annexure-I.
(b) & (c) Relief to the disabled is primarily a State subject by virtue of entry 9 of the State List of the Constitution of India. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the States for the welfare
of persons with disabilities through various schemes. The major schemes of the Department are as under:

(i) Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP): Under ADIP Scheme the funds are released to various implementing agencies to assist the needy persons with disabilities 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 enhance their economic potential.

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(ii) Scheme for Implementation of Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (SIPDA) : Under this scheme ,
assistance is provided to State Governments and to autonomous organizations/Institutions under Central or State Governments, for various activities relating to implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, particularly for creation of barrier free environment for persons with disabilities. Accessible India Campaign has been launched on 03.12.2015 under this scheme with a view to create awareness and provide barrier free environment for persons with disabilities.

(iii) Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) under which grant-in-aid is provided to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for their projects relating to rehabilitation of persons with disabilities aimed at enabling persons with disabilities to reach and maintain their optimal, physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric or social functional levels.

(iv) Scholarship schemes for students with disabilities such as Pre-matric, Post-matric, Top Class Education, National Fellowship, National Overseas Scholarship.

Amount allocated (Budget Estimate and Revised Estimate) in above schemes during the last three years and current year is at Annexure-II. There is no dedicated state-wise allocation of fund under these schemes.

Further, Government has recently enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 which came into force from 19.04.2017. The Act provides for more rights and entitlements for persons with disabilities including four percent reservation in Government jobs for persons with benchmark disability. It also mandates appropriate Government to take measures to protect the persons with disabilities from being subjected to torture, violence, abuse & exploitation. It also provides for protection and safety in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies.


(d) The RPwD Act, 2016 mandates the appropriate Government to take measures for promoting vocational training, skill development and self-employment of persons with disabilities. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) launched a National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in collaboration with Ministry of Skill Development of Entrepreneurship on 21st March, 2015. Skill Development of PwDs is done through a network of Empanelled Training Partners (ETPs) consisting of both Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations. The training is provided on the trades, and the cost provided under the Common Norms prescribed by Ministry of Skill Development of Entrepreneurship. Skill training to PwDs is also provided through National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) and National Institutes of the DEPwD.

(e) The RPwD Act, 2016 mandates Government to take measures to promote awareness campaign and sensitization programme to ensure that rights of persons with disabilities provided under the Act are protected. Department implements a scheme to generate mass awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities. Initiatives were taken by the government for their empowerment through print and electronic media and also through workshop, seminar, symposia etc.

(f) As per the provisions of the RPwD Act, 2016, the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities are responsible to monitor implementation of provisions of the Act and the schemes and programmes meant for persons with disabilities.

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