Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment addressed Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 339 on July 22, 2025, regarding the Samarth Scheme for orphans, abandoned children, distressed families, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under the Below Poverty Line (BPL). The response outlines the implementation of the Samarth and Samarth-cum-Gharaunda schemes by the National Trust, the number of centers established, and the funds allocated over the last five years. No specific deadlines or action items are mentioned outside of the general scope of the stated activities.
Key Points / Main Content:
Samarth Scheme Overview:
Implemented by the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities.
Aims to provide respite and residential care.
Beneficiaries include orphans, abandoned Divyangjan, families in crisis, and PWDs from BPL/LIG families, including destitute individuals with at least one of the four disabilities covered under the National Trust Act.
Data and Centers:
The Ministry does not maintain specific data on the number of orphans, abandoned children, distressed families, and PWDs under BPL.
Nine Samarth centers and 11 Samarth-cum-Gharaunda centers have been funded by the National Trust in NGO centers across the country during the last five years.
Samarth centers are located in Assam (Cachar), Gujarat (Junagadh), Madhya Pradesh (Indore, Sagar), Odisha (Mayurbhanj), Rajasthan (Dausa), Tamil Nadu (Coimbatore, Cuddalore), and Uttar Pradesh (Agra).
Samarth-cum-Gharaunda centers are located in Andhra Pradesh (Guntur), Chhattisgarh (Dhamtari, Raigarh), Madhya Pradesh (Chhindwara, Narmadapuram), Odisha (Balangir, Baleshwar, Puri), Tamil Nadu (Salem), and Uttar Pradesh (Azamgarh, Basti).
Financial Allocations:
Funds have been allocated for the implementation of both schemes over the last five years.
Specific allocation amounts for each year (2020-21 to 2024-25) are detailed state-wise and scheme-wise in Annexure C (Samarth) and Annexure D (Samarth-cum-Gharaunda).
Impact Analysis:
National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities:
Impact: Responsible for implementing the Samarth and Samarth-cum-Gharaunda schemes, managing centers, and disbursing funds.
Action Required: Continue to oversee the effective implementation of the schemes, monitor the performance of the centers, and ensure proper utilization of allocated funds.
State Governments/Union Territories:
Impact: Receive funds to support the operation of Samarth and Samarth-cum-Gharaunda centers within their jurisdiction.
Action Required: Coordinate with the National Trust and NGOs to ensure the smooth operation of the centers and provide necessary support for the welfare of the beneficiaries.
NGOs Running Samarth/Samarth-cum-Gharaunda Centers:
Impact: Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the centers and providing care and support to the beneficiaries.
Action Required: Adhere to the guidelines of the Samarth scheme, maintain accurate records of beneficiaries and expenditures, and ensure the provision of quality services.
Orphans, Abandoned Divyangjan, Families in Crisis, and PWDs from BPL/LIG Families:
Impact: Beneficiaries of the scheme, receiving respite and residential care services.
Action Required: Engage with the services provided by the Samarth and Samarth-cum-Gharaunda centers to improve their quality of life.
Key Entities Referenced
Samarth Scheme: A scheme for orphans, abandoned children, distressed families, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under Below Poverty Line (BPL).
Persons with Disabilities: Individuals with disabilities, often referred to as PWDs or Divyangjan in the context of this document.
National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities: An organization implementing Samarth Respite Care scheme and SamarthcumGharaunda Residential Care scheme for specific disabilities.
Below Poverty Line: An economic benchmark used to identify individuals and families living in poverty.
Bihar: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of setting up relief homes or Samarth Kendras.
Assam: A state in India where Samarth centers have been established.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India where Samarth and SamarthcumGharaunda centers have been established.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India where Samarth and SamarthcumGharaunda centers have been established.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT
DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWRERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILTIES (DIVYANGJAN)
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 339
TO BE ANSWERED ON- 22/07/2025
Samarth Scheme for Orphans and PWDs
339. Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is running Samarth Scheme for orphans or abandoned people/children,
distressed families and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under Below Poverty Line (BPL) and if so,
the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has any data of the number of orphans or abandoned people/children,
distressed families and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under BPL and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the number of relief homes or Samarth Kendras set up by the Government in the country during the last
five years, State and district-wise particularly in Bihar; and
(d) the total funds allocated for implementation of the said projects during the last five years, year-wise
and State/UT-wise?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI B.L.VERMA)
(a) National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and
Multiple Disabilities is implementing Samarth (Respite Care) scheme and Samarth-cum-Gharaunda
(Residential Care) scheme for orphans or abandoned Divyangjan, families in crisis and also for
Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) from BPL & LIG families including destitute with at-least one
of the four disabilities covered under the National Trust Act.
(b) No such data is being maintained by in the Ministry.
(c) There are 9 Samarth and 11 Samarth-cum-Gharaunda centres funded by the National Trust in NGOs
centres in the country during the last 5 years, as per detail given in Annexure– A and Annexure – B.
(d) The total funds allocated for implementation of the said projects during the last 5 years, year wise and
state wise is at Annexure C and Annexure – D.
*****Annexure – A
Number of Samarth centers setup by the National Trust, state and district wise in the country,
during the last five years
S. No. State District Number of Samarth
centers
1 Assam Cachar 1
2 Gujarat Junagadh 1
Madhya Pradesh Indore 1
3 Sagar 1
4 Odisha Mayurbhanj 1
5 Rajasthan Dausa 1
6 Tamil Nadu Coimbatore 1
Cuddalore 1
7 Uttar Pradesh Agra 1
Grand Total 9Annexure B
Number of Samarth-Cum-Gharaunda centers setup by the National Trust, state and district
wise in the country, during the last five years
S. No. State District Number of Samarth-cum-
Gharaunda Centers
1 Andhra Pradesh Guntur 1
2 Chhattisgarh Dhamtari 1
Raigarh 1
3 Madhya Pradesh Chhindwara 1
Narmadapuram 1
4 Odisha Balangir 1
Baleshwar 1
Puri 1
5 Tamil Nadu Salem 1
6 Uttar Pradesh Azamgarh 1
Basti 1
Grand Total 11Annexure C
Total funds allocated for implementation of Samarth scheme during last five years, year-wise
and State/ UT-wise
Rs. in Crore
Year
S.No.
State
2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
1 Assam 0.02 0.00 0.03 0.11 0.10
2 Gujarat 0.23 0.23 0.25 0.24 0.24
3 Madhya Pradesh 0.13 0.12 0.14 0.21 0.44
4 Odisha 0.26 0.23 0.25 0.25 0.25
5 Rajasthan 0 0 0.07 0.15 0.25
6 Tamil Nadu 0.35 0.37 0.45 0.42 0.38
7 Uttar Pradesh 0.29 0.44 0.55 0.47 0.30Annexure D
Total funds allocated for implementation of Samarth-cum-Gharaunda scheme during last five
years, year-wise and State/ UT-wise
Rs. in Crore
State Year
S.No.
2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
1 Andhra Pradesh 0.21 0.14 0.21 0.22 0.00
2 Chhattisgarh 0.00 0.20 0.56 0.60 0.60
3 Madhya Pradesh 0.81 0.83 0.90 0.91 0.71
4 Odisha 0.62 0.97 0.92 0.92 0.92
5 Tamil Nadu 0.21 0.29 0.33 0.30 0.27
6 Uttar Pradesh 0.50 0.51 0.55 0.58 0.58
*****