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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE& EMPOWERMENT
DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
(DIVYANGJAN)
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 249
ANSWERED ON 10.03.2026
REHABILITATION OF DIVYANGJAN
*249. SHRI NARAYANDAS AHIRWAR :
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the condition of Divyangjan from economically weaker families is becoming
extremely pathetic due to rising inflation and they are unable to receive adequate nourishment,
education and the desired benefits of Government schemes, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to increase the current pension/maintenance amount of
approximately one thousand rupees per month to five thousand rupees per month provided to
Divyangjan in the States including Uttar Pradesh, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to provide a fifty percent rebate on domestic electricity
bills to Divyangjan and initiate special recruitment drives at the Central-State level for
rehabilitation and self-reliance of the said Divyangjan; and
(d) if so, the details of the action taken so far in this regard and if not, the reasons therefor;
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 249 FOR 10th March 2026
(a) The Government recognizes the importance of supporting Divyangjans especially from
weaker sections of the society. For support in education, the Government administers the
Scholarship for Students with Disabilities scheme, through which Divyang children whose
parental annual income ranges from Rs.2.5 Lakh to Rs.8 Lakh are provided Scholarship.
Further, the Scheme of Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of
Aids /Appliances (ADIP) provides assistive devices at concessional rate or free of cost to
low-income persons with disabilities having monthly income not exceeding Rs.30,000/- per
month.
In addition, the Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) caters to all
economic sections of persons with disabilities through an array of community-based
rehabilitation like early intervention, special education, support for development of daily living
skills, vocational training etc.
(b) National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a social security programme for the
most vulnerable persons of the society living below poverty line, both in rural and urban areas
irrespective of the category of the beneficiaries. One of the components of the scheme is the
Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS).
The central assistance under the IGNDPS is ₹300/- per month per beneficiary from 18 to
79 years of age and ₹ 500/- per month per beneficiary from 80 years onwards. The States/UTs
are encouraged to provide top-up amount of at least an equivalent amount to the assistance
provided by the Central Government so that the beneficiaries could get a decent level of
assistance. At present, various States/Union Territories are adding different amounts as
additional contributions (top-up) per beneficiary under the disability pension scheme. At present,
there is no proposal under consideration to revise the coverage/rate of central assistance under
NSAP.
(c) to (d) The matter of rebate on domestic electricity bills to any particular category of
consumers falls within the domain of State/UT Governments.
The Government of India launched ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’ aiming to
provide households with free electricity through the installation of subsidized rooftop solar
panels, significantly reducing their energy costs.
The RPwD Act, 2016 mandates a minimum of 4% reservation for persons with
benchmark disabilities (PwBDs) in government employment. The Centre has also mandated 4%
reservation in promotion in identified posts. The Department has issued an indicative list of
around 3500 types of posts under all central government establishments, identified for PwBDs
and also issued post identification guidelines for all central Ministries/Departments to follow to
ensure effective and uniform implementation of reservation.
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