Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment addresses Lok Sabha questions regarding initiatives for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). The government outlines various schemes and Acts aimed at the welfare, skill development, and inclusive infrastructure for Divyangjans, including financial assistance, scholarships, and accessibility campaigns. The response also includes budget allocation and expenditure details for the past five years, state-wise.
Key Points / Main Content:
Legislative and Policy Framework:
* The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, effective from 19.04.2017, expands the definition of disabilities from 7 to 21, ensuring rights like equality, education, employment, and accessibility.
* While relief to disabled persons is a State subject, the Central Government supports welfare, skill development, and an accessible India through various initiatives and schemes.
Key Schemes and Initiatives:
* Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP): Provides aids and assistive devices like wheelchairs, hearing aids, and prosthetics to eligible Divyangjans, disbursed through implementing agencies. ALIMCO has set up 76 Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendras (PMDK) as walk-in centers under ADIP Scheme.
* Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS): Offers financial assistance to voluntary organizations and State Project Implementing agencies for District Disability Rehabilitation Centres (DDRCs) and projects for the welfare/empowerment of PwDs, including special schools.
* Scholarship Schemes for Students with Disabilities: Implements an Umbrella Scheme comprising six components (Pre-matric, Post-matric, Top Class Education, National Overseas Scholarship, National Fellowship, and Free Coaching) with funds disbursed directly via DBT.
* Scheme for Implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA): An umbrella Central Sector Scheme comprising sub-schemes:
* Unique Disability ID (UDID) Scheme: Provides a single digital ID for PwDs, streamlining access to government benefits.
* National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAP SDP): Imparts skill training to PwDs aged 15-59 through empaneled training partners (ETPs).
* Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan): Aims for universal accessibility in the built environment, transport systems, and information/communication ecosystems.
* Cross Disability Early Intervention Centres (CDEICs): Established in National Institutes (NIs) and Composite Regional Centres (CRCs) to provide comprehensive support to children with special needs aged 0-6.
* Awareness Generation Publicity and In-Service Training Scheme: Creates awareness about schemes and trains functionaries; promotes Divya Kala Mela (DKM) to showcase Divyangjan talent.
Financial Information:
* Annexure I provides scheme-wise budget allocation and expenditure details for 2020-21 to 2024-25.
* Annexure II provides state-wise details of the budget sanctioned under various schemes.
Impact Analysis:
Persons with Disabilities (PwDs):
* Impact: Improved access to rights, benefits, assistive devices, education, skill development, and inclusive infrastructure, leading to enhanced independence and participation in society.
* Action Required: Utilize available schemes and initiatives to access necessary support and opportunities.
Implementing Agencies (e.g., ALIMCO, Voluntary Organizations, State Project Implementing agencies):
* Impact: Responsible for the effective distribution of aids and assistive devices and implementation of rehabilitation programs.
* Action Required: Ensure proper disbursement of funds, set up and manage centers like PMDKs and DDRCs, and conduct training programs.
Central and State Governments:
* Impact: Required to support and implement the RPwD Act, allocate budgets, and monitor the progress of various schemes.
* Action Required: Allocate sufficient funds, streamline processes for UDID implementation, and conduct awareness campaigns.
Educational Institutions:
* Impact: Responsible for providing inclusive education and facilitating access to scholarships for students with disabilities.
* Action Required: Implement inclusive education policies, disseminate information about scholarship schemes, and provide necessary support to students with disabilities.
Key Entities Referenced
Persons with Disabilities: A group of people with physical or mental impairments that limit their participation in society.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities RPwD Act, 2016: An Indian legislation that expands the types of disabilities recognized and ensures rights for persons with disabilities.
Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for PurchaseFitting of Aids and Appliances ADIP: A scheme to provide aids and assistive devices such as wheelchairs and hearing aids to eligible persons with disabilities.
Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme DDRS: A scheme that provides financial assistance to organizations for setting up District Disability Rehabilitation Centres and running projects for the welfare of Persons with Disabilities.
Scholarship Schemes for Students with Disabilities: Umbrella Scheme Scholarships for Students with Disabilities that aims to remove financial, physical and psychological barriers, enabling the Divyang students to pursue education and live with dignity.
Scheme for Implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act SIPDA, 1995: A scheme providing financial assistance for activities outlined in The Persons with Disabilities Act to ensure equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation.
Unique Disability ID Scheme UDID: Scheme provides a single digital ID card for Persons with Disabilities, streamlining access to government benefits.
Accessible India Campaign Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan: A nationwide flagship campaign for achieving universal accessibility to enable PwDs to gain access for equal opportunity and live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life in an inclusive society.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT
DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (DIVYANGJAN)
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2743
FOR ANSWER ON-05/08/2025
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
2743. Shri E T Mohammed Basheer:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has undertaken any major projects or initiatives in recent years for the
welfare, skill development and inclusive infrastructure for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), if so,
the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is aware of the fact that several such projects are facing delays or
remain incomplete due to insufficient budget allocations and funding shortfalls;
(c) if so, the details thereof, including the number of pending projects or the funds sanctioned and
required in this regard;
(d) the steps being taken by the Ministry to address the funding gap and ensure timely
implementation for the benefit of PwDs in the country; and
(e) the details of the Budget and expenditure during the last five years, State-wise?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI B.L.VERMA)
(a) to (e): The Government of India has undertaken several initiatives for the empowerment and
upliftment of Divyangjans. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, effective
from 19.04.2017, expanded disabilities from 7 to 21 and ensures rights like equality, education,
employment and accessibility.
Although relief to the disabled is a State subject by virtue of entry 9 of the State List of the
Constitution of India, the Central Government supports the efforts for welfare, skill development andinclusive, accessible India through its major initiatives and schemes that inter alia include the
following: -
(1) Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances
(ADIP): Under ADIP Scheme modern and scientifically manufactured aids and assistive devices
are provided to eligible Divyangjans like wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetics, smart canes,
motorized tricycles and low-vision devices to enhance their mobility, independence and
rehabilitation. Funds are disbursed to implementing agencies for distribution of aids and assistive
devices to eligible beneficiaries. Recently, Department through ALIMCO which is the major
Implementing Agency of ADIP Scheme has set up 76 Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK)
which act as a walk-in centres to provide assistive devices to persons with disabilities under ADIP
Scheme.
(2) Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS):- Under Deendayal Divyangjan
Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS), financial assistance is provided to the voluntary Organizations/ State
Project Implementing agencies for (i) setting up of District Disability Rehabilitation Centres
(DDRCs) and (ii) running various projects for the welfare/empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
(PwDs) including Special School for the Children with Visual, Hearing and Intellectual disability
including Children with Cerebral Palsy etc., aimed at enabling them to maintain their optimal,
physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric or social functional levels.
(3) Scholarship Schemes for Students with Disabilities: Department is implementing Umbrella
Scheme ‘Scholarships for Students with Disabilities’ comprising six components viz., Pre -matric,
Post -matric, Top Class Education, National Overseas Scholarship, National Fellowship for PwDs
and Free Coaching schemes with an objective to remove financial, physical and psychological
barriers, enabling the Divyang students to pursue education and live with dignity. Funds are
disbursed directly to students’ bank accounts (DBT mode) pan -India.
(4) SIPDA: The Ministry has been implementing SIPDA a Scheme for Implementation of the
Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 as amended from time to time and to provide financial assistance
for activities outlined in the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and
Full Participation) Act. The SIPDA Scheme is an umbrella “Central Sector Scheme” comprising of
following sub-schemes:
(i) UDID scheme: The UDID (Unique Disability ID) Scheme provides a single digital ID
card for Persons with Disabilities, streamlining access to government benefits. It
eliminates redundant documentation, ensures transparency, and promotes inclusivity by
linking welfare schemes directly to beneficiaries, empowering PwDs with easier access to
rights and opportunities.
(ii) National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAP -SDP)
: To enhance skills of Persons with Disabilities, to enable them to have gainful employment
and to become self -reliant, productive and contributing members of society, Department is
implementing Skilling scheme, namely, the National Action Plan for Skill Development of
Persons with Disabilities (NAP -SDP). Under the scheme, skill training is imparted to persons
with disabilities in the age group of 15 to 59 years through various Government and Non -
Government Organizations, empaneled as training partners (ETPs) with the Department.(iii) Accessible India Campaign: The Department has conceptualized the Accessible India
Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) as a nation -wide flagship campaign for achieving
universal accessibility to enable PwDs to gain access for equal opportunity and live
independently and participate fully in all aspects of life in an inclusive society. The campaign
targets at enhancing the accessibility of built environment, transport system and information
& communication eco -system.
(iv) Actual and Financial Achievements under the Cross Disability Early Intervention
Centres (CDEIC): The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD)
has launched the scheme for Cross Disability Early Intervention Centres (CDEICs). These
centres have been established in various National Institutes (NIs) and Composite Regional
Centres (CRCs) across the country to provide comprehensive support to children with special
needs. The main objective of these centres is to ensure early identification, screening and
timely rehabilitation services for children aged 0 to 6 years. These services are critical to
minimizing the impact of disabilities and enhancing the potential development of children at
the earliest possible stage.
(v) AWARENESS GENERATION & PUBLICITY and IN -SERVICE TRAINING
SCHEME
This Central Sector scheme namely Awareness Generation & Publicity and In -Service
Training Scheme is being implemented for creation of general awareness about the schemes
and programmes of the Department for the welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and to
train and sensitize key functionaries of the Central/State Government/Local Bodies.
Divya Kala Mela have been promoted as special project under AGP to provide platform to
Divyangjan to show case their talent and to promote the sale of the products made by them.
DKMs are being organized across the country since November, 2022.
Scheme -wise Budget Allocation and Expenditure is at Annexure-I
State -wise details of the budget sanctioned under various schemes is at Annexure–II.Annexure–I
Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2743 to
be answered on 05/08/2025 regarding “Persons with Disabilities”
Scheme -wise Budget Allocation and Expenditure
(Rs. in crore)
2020 -21 2021 -22 2022 -23 2023 -24 2024 -25
Programme / BE RE AE BE RE AE BE RE AE BE RE AE BE RE AE
Scheme
Deendayal 130. 85.0 83.1 125. 105. 100. 125. 105. 114. 130. 130. 129. 165.0 139. 139.
Divyangjan 00 0 8 00 00 90 00 00 69 00 00 98 0 00 39
Rehabilitation
Schemes
(DDRS)
Assistance of 230. 195. 189. 220. 180. 198. 235. 230. 242. 245. 305. 290. 315.0 350. 348.
Persons with 00 00 13 00 00 70 00 00 29 00 00 60 0 00 81
Disabilities
for
Purchase/Fitti
ng of Aids and
Appliances(A
DIP)
Scholarship 125. 100. 97.4 125. 110. 120. 105. 145. 142. 155. 155. 130. 142.6 80.0 89.7
for Students 00 00 0 00 00 32 00 00 00 00 00 07 8 0 1
with
Disabilities
Scheme for 251. 122. 103. 209. 147. 108. 240. 100. 65.5 150. 67.0 76.7 135.3 111. 44.1
Implementati 50 89 43 77 31 44 39 00 9 00 0 9 3 00 6
on of Rights
of Persons
with
Disabilties
(SIPDA)Annexure – II
Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2743 to
be answered on 05/08/2025 regarding “Persons with Disabilities”
State -wise details of the budget sanctioned under various schemes
Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP)
(Rs.in Lakhs)
S. Name of the State / UTs 2020 -21 2021 -22 2022 -23 2023 -24 2024 -25
No.
1 Andaman & Nicobar 8.29 8.06 7.23 0.06 14.50
2 Andhra Pradesh 303.32 1194.80 686.16 2084.39 1686.58
3 Arunachal Pradesh 14.90 20.79 1003.06 4.57 10.13
4 Assam 639.01 341.62 - 1302.62 1075.56
5 Bihar 645.19 496.22 1076.87 2427.1 785.37
6 Chandigarh 31.68 9.76 39.12 31.39 186.78
7 Chhattisgarh 403.22 118.44 152.36 37.42 231.70
8 Delhi 38.33 268.36 247.13 423.51 907.76
9 Goa 156.50 2.24 0 40.66 33.18
10 Gujarat 946.82 993.29 443.07 1539.78 3244.66
11 Haryana 134.94 338.85 678.06 1077 750.92
12 Himachal Pradesh 169.70 68.74 143.74 153.25 157.36
13 Jammu and Kashmir 151.22 311.89 507.60 542.88 328.60
14 Jharkhand 104.80 380.45 851.16 629.64 836.88
15 Karnataka 92.15 249.31 421.81 1248.22 1324.58
16 Kerala 425.57 168.60 222.35 563.87 152.72
17 Ladakh - - 1.89 28.79 13.39
18 Lakshadweep - - - 1.66 18.83
19 Madhya Pradesh 1995.08 2693.85 1732.72 4283.69 2520.72
20 Maharashtra 8511.82 7913.55 1568.47 4211.25 2636.50
21 Manipur 73.15 47.25 47.93 21 43.97
22 Meghalaya 7.45 19.94 172.87 3.87 50.84
23 Mizoram - 5.78 0.13 10.41 29.78
24 Nagaland 6.55 28.47 23.82 3.16 47.82
25 Odisha 982.29 882.07 784.57 953.44 1579.03
26 Puducherry 5.98 37.73 - 24.37 102.59
27 Punjab 326.70 1281.55 902.06 1703.61 2029.32
28 Rajasthan 731.50 452.83 667.52 2155.48 1697.81
29 Sikkim 7.91 0.00 3.15 4.27 2.68
30 Tamil Nadu 623.28 1336.24 859.85 1137.29 416.12
31 Telangna 355.19 1134.44 420.54 1389.14 1417.2432 The Dadra & Nagar Haveli 17.79 5.42 21.13 4.78 54.05
33 Tripura 46.05 59.54 292.69 89.49 90.32
34 Uttar Pradesh 2750.69 2855.02 3823.14 7479.29 9244.49
35 Uttrakhand 80.32 132.48 185.59 275.44 401.98
36 West Bengal 715.28 267.67 1587.88 958.23 1358.66
Total 21502.66 24125.24 19575.68 36845.02 35483.41Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)
(Rs. in Lakh)
S. No. Name of the State 2020 -21 2021 -22 2022 -23 2023 -24 2024 -25
1 Andhra Pradesh 1639.88 1779.89 2648.41 2851.56 2728.44
2 Assam 90.7 167.76 261.34 136.87 238.29
3 Bihar - 41.89 33.54 68.65 61.27
4 Chhattisgarh 1.63 47.58 - - 74.14
5 Delhi 247.67 162.74 185.51 166.89 220.24
6 Gujarat 43.32 120.66 72.77 95.19 120.09
7 Haryana 140.19 101.99 128.93 174.61 155.19
8 Himachal Pradesh 69.2 67.15 69.05 84.13 103.98
9 Jharkhand - - 26.09 - -
10 Karnataka 81.3 135.6 139.92 73.73 94.881
11 Kerala 628.3 725.3 762.41 455.2 1737.41
12 Ladakh - - - 0.44 -
13 Madhya Pradesh 248.31 325.57 382.72 484.55 344.3
14 Maharashtra 180.11 71.46 383.87 311.19 111.28
15 Manipur 596.24 741.55 1016.29 946.48 1162.44
16 Meghalaya 105.37 29.64 101.76 87.86 202.67
17 Mizoram 11.73 - 29.22 17.26 41.28
18 Nagaland 26.32 - 30.36 46.83 38.28
19 Odisha 789.16 1457.59 929.8 1382.09 1293.27
20 Punjab 98.92 149.27 168.06 211.68 304.1
21 Rajasthan 150.58 286.26 239.28 320.06 418.05
22 Tamil Nadu 208.25 137.06 184.7 312.15 267.91
23 Tripura - - 15.57 51.67 -
24 Uttar Pradesh 1335.24 1389.36 1147.75 1653.52 2167.99
25 Uttrakhand 102.68 68.67 87.29 80.48 165.37
26 West Bengal 336.31 606.89 811.67 782.79 658.53
27 Telangana 1168.25 1439.72 1527.48 2121.26 1781.43
Total 8318.14 10089.49 11469.06 12997.79 14573.6*
*About Rs. 6.7crore returned to CFI from TSA account on 31.03.2025.Scholarship Schemes for Students with Disabilities
( Rs. in crore)
S. State/UT 2020 -21 2021 -22 2022 -23 2023 -24 2024 -25
No.
1. ANDHRA PRADESH 2.42 4.75 6.26 3.45 1.28
2. ASSAM 0.75 2.02 0.67 1.07 0.27
3. BIHAR 3.68 9.05 5.43 11.94 6.44
4. CHANDIGARH 0.08 0.03 0.19 0.75 1.65
5. CHHATTISGARH 0.13 1.53 3.01 0.76 1.20
6. DADRA & NAGAR HAVELI - 0.01 0.03 0.01 -
7. DELHI 1.14 1.03 1.66 1.29 0.55
8. GOA 0.04 0.06 0.04 0.03 0.07
9. GUJARAT 3.24 2.76 2.56 2.63 2.84
10. HARYANA 0.57 1.07 1.29 0.95 0.27
11. HIMACHAL PRADESH 0.49 0.58 1.31 1.09 0.74
12. JAMMU AND KASHMIR 2.44 1.77 1.88 2.18 0.35
13. JHARKHAND 0.79 0.99 8.32 3.43 1.03
14. KARNATAKA 5.44 16.93 16.29 23.20 7.52
15. KERALA 4.10 7.22 7.62 6.29 6.52
16. MADHYA PRADESH 4.60 9.73 18.03 3.93 3.93
17. MAHARASHTRA 2.49 5.83 5.99 6.73 4.00
18. MANIPUR 0.01 - 0.11 0.16 0.17
19. MEGHALAYA - 0.06 0.01 0.05 0.12
20. MIZORAM - 0.02 0.14 0.07 -
21. NAGALAND 0.05 0.01 - 0.01 -
22. ODISHA 3.01 5.40 6.11 4.36 6.02
23. PUDUCHERRY 0.27 0.29 0.30 0.39 0.18
24. PUNJAB 1.55 2.12 1.74 2.35 0.23
25. RAJASTHAN 1.43 4.08 3.54 3.51 2.75
26. SIKKIM - - - - 0.04
27. TAMIL NADU 5.26 9.15 13.46 10.69 7.07
28. TELANGANA 6.05 6.40 8.86 6.76 1.51
29. TRIPURA 0.10 1.19 0.48 1.86 0.17
30. UTTARAKHAND 0.46 0.96 1.05 0.45 0.62
31. UTTAR PRADESH 36.76 32.90 24.33 24.86 6.50
32. WEST BENGAL 4.42 3.49 4.49 5.22 0.70
Total 53.05 54.09 52.67 49.84 25.79AIC/Barrier free environment
(Rs. in lakh)
S. No. State/UT 2020 -21 2021 -22 2022 -23 2023 -24 2024 -25
1 Arunachal Pradesh 783.99 1447.67 508.93 - 1482.1
2 Assam - - 542.34 80.16 -
3 Chhattisgarh 91.77 - - - -
4 Goa - - 99.21 - -
5 Gujarat - 477.95 - - -
6 Himachal Pradesh - - - - 102.55
7 Madhya Pradesh 95.49 2074.06 85.46 225 -
8 Maharashtra 627.42 - 503.93 - 819.86
9 Manipur - 1379.15 208.61 - -
10 Meghalaya - 1320.82 - 847.12 -
11 Mizoram 108.94 - - - -
12 Nagaland 317.61 - - 95.65 -
13 Punjab - - 325.7 - -
14 Rajasthan - - - 339.5 -
15 Sikkim - - - 416.5 -
16 Tamil Nadu 2856.37 648.69 - - -
17 Tripura 587.44 - - - -
18 Uttarakhand 280.28 - 28.65 - 15.6
19 Uttar Pradesh 417.94 35.64 - - 389.5
20 West Bengal - 297.5 76.53 - -
21 Andaman and Nicobar Islands 448.59 - - - -
TOTAL 6615.84 7681.48 2379.36 2003.93 2809.61Unique Disability ID (UDID)
2020 -21 2021 -22 2022 -23 2023 -24 2024 -25
States/UTS Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Released
Released Released Released Released (Rs. in Lakh)
(Rs. in Lakh) (Rs. in (Rs. in (Rs. in Lakh)
S.No. Lakh) Lakh)
ANDAMAN AND
1 NICOBAR - 4.50 8.04 6.00 6.50
ISLANDS
2 ANDHRA 29.25 6.00 5.00 6.00 5.20
PRADESH
3 ARUNACHAL 2.48 23.25 6.00 3.00 6.00
PRADESH
4 ASSAM 6.00 6.70 7.13 3.00 4.00
5 BIHAR 6.00 59.36 5.00 6.00 6.30
6 CHANDIGARH - - 6.75 4.37 6.30
7 CHHATTISGARH 30.76 6.50 - - -
DADRA AND
NAGAR HAVELI
& DAMAN AND - 5.87 - - 6.00
8 DIU
9 DELHI 6.00 5.29 4.28 6.00 1.00
10 GOA 1.50 12.29 3.00 3.00 3.00
11 GUJARAT 6.00 36.00 6.00 3.00 4.43
HIMACHAL 6.00 - 4.57 5.78 3.15
12 PRADESH
JAMMU AND
13 KASHMIR - - 16.00 - -
14 JHARKHAND - - - 8.49 3.00
15 KARNATAKA 6.00 41.82 - 3.00 6.23
16 KERALA 9.50 6.00 3.00 - -
17 LAKSHADWEEP 6.42 6.00 - - -
18 MAHARASHTRA - - 3.00 5.66 -
19 MANIPUR - - 18.00 6.00 3.00
20 MEGHALAYA 6.00 14.19 - - -
21 MIZORAM 11.42 3.50 6.00 6.00 4.00
22 NAGALAND 6.00 9.00 3.65 6.00 4.00
23 ODISHA 2.88 4.07 - - -
24 PUDUCHERRY 3.00 6.00 4.00 - 2.70
25 PUNJAB 12.08 26.63 - 5.09 -
26 RAJASTHAN 6.00 6.00 3.00 2.91 3.00
27 SIKKIM 9.00 9.00 6.00 7.50 3.0028 TAMIL NADU 4.80 59.96 5.67 3.00 -
29 TELANGANA 61.75 - - - -
30 TRIPURA - - 15.82 - 3.52
31 UTTAR PRADESH 65.43 - 9.76 33.70 1.20
32 UTTARAKHAND 3.73 6.00 3.00 6.00 3.15
33 WEST BENGAL - - 6.00 - -
Total 308.00 363.93 158.67 139.50 88.68