**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer provided by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment to unstarred questions in Lok Sabha (No-1518, to be answered on 09/12/2025) regarding the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) in Andhra Pradesh. It details the scope, objectives, and progress of the campaign, including funding and awareness initiatives. The campaign was launched on December 3, 2015.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign):**
* Launched on December 3, 2015.
* Aims to create universal accessibility in three areas: the built-up environment, transportation systems, and Information & Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem.
* Focuses on making government buildings, public transport, and websites accessible.
* **Funding and Implementation:**
* Grants are provided to States/UTs upon receipt of compliant proposals.
* Rs. 31.00 lakhs released in FY 2025-26 as the first installment under the Creation of Barrier Free Environment (CBFE) Scheme for retrofitting 02 State Government buildings in Andhra Pradesh.
* Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) is the primary implementing agency for assistive devices.
* **Technology and Accessibility:**
* ALIMCO has adopted advanced technologies for assistive devices.
* The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued Accessibility Standards for Health Care on May 4, 2023, mandating accessibility measures in all healthcare facilities.
* The Indian Council of Medical Research has released the National List of Essential Assistive Products.
* **Awareness and Outreach:**
* The Department conducts awareness programs through various organizations to promote its schemes and programs for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and sensitize employers and other stakeholders.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)**
* **Impact:** Benefits from increased accessibility of buildings, transportation, websites, healthcare facilities, and assistive devices.
* **Action Required:** Access and utilize the resources and services made available through the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan.
**Stakeholder: State/UT Governments**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing the campaign and ensuring accessibility within their jurisdictions.
* **Action Required:** Submit compliant proposals to receive grants, retrofit buildings, and ensure compliance with accessibility standards.
**Stakeholder: Implementing Agencies (e.g., ALIMCO)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for providing assistive devices and implementing technological advancements to improve accessibility.
* **Action Required:** Continue to develop and provide quality assistive devices and collaborate with stakeholders to enhance accessibility.
**Stakeholder: Healthcare Facilities**
* **Impact:** Required to adhere to Accessibility Standards for Health Care to ensure accessibility for PwDs.
* **Action Required:** Implement accessibility measures in healthcare facilities and ensure website accessibility.
**Stakeholder: Employers and Other Stakeholders**
* **Impact:** Need to be sensitized about the special needs of persons with disabilities and promote their overall well-being and empowerment.
* **Action Required:** Participate in awareness programs and implement inclusive practices in their organizations.
Key Entities Referenced
Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan: Accessible India Campaign aimed at creating universal accessibility for persons with disabilities in the built environment, transportation, and ICT ecosystem.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The central ministry responsible for the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Andhra Pradesh: The state in India where the implementation of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan is being discussed in the parliamentary question.
Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase or Fitting of Aids and Appliances Scheme: Scheme for providing assistive devices to persons with disabilities implemented by ALIMCO.
Creation of Barrier Free Environment (CBFE) Scheme: Scheme for retrofitting government buildings to improve accessibility.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1518
TO BE ANSWERED ON - 09/12/2025
SUGAMYA BHARAT ABHIYAN IN ANDHRA PRADESH
1518. Shri Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy:
Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the details regarding the total number of beneficiaries covered under the Sugamya Bharat
Abhiyan during the last five years, State and district-wise in Andhra Pradesh and especially
in Prakasam and Nellore districts;
(b) the details regarding the total amount of funds allocated, released and utilised under the
scheme over the last five years, including details of expenditure on infrastructure upgrades
and service improvements in the country, State and district-wise in Andhra Pradesh and
especially in Prakasam and Nellore districts;
(c) the details regarding the extent to which modern technologies such as digital accessibility
tools, assistive devices and technology-enabled assessments have been developed or deployed to
support beneficiaries under the scheme; and
(d) whether the Government has undertaken any steps to raise awareness about the scheme
among persons with disabilities, implementing agencies and the general public, including details
of outreach campaigns, training programmes and measurable outcomes; if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI B L VERMA)
(a) & (b): The Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) was launched on
December 3, 2015 for creating universal accessibility in three verticals: the built-up environment,
transportation system, and Information & Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem. The
campaign is target-oriented and the focus is towards making government buildings, public
transport and websites accessible. Grants are given on receipt of only compliant proposals
received by States/UTs. In 2025-26 FY , an amount of Rs. 31.00 lakhs has been released as firstinstalment under the Creation of Barrier Free Environment(CBFE) Scheme for retrofitting of 02
State Government buildings in Andhra Pradesh.
(c)The Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, (ALIMCO)Kanpur, is the primary
implementing agency supplying quality and modern assistive devices to persons with disabilities
under the Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase or Fitting of Aids and Appliances
Scheme. The Corporation has adopted several advanced technological interventions, including
digital scanning for fabrication of three-dimensional printed prosthetic sockets, development of a
low-vision assistive eyewear device, a lithium-ion battery-operated motorised tricycle and
“Kadam” knee joint developed in collaboration with leading scientific institutions and is
continuously improving its product designs through ToTs/partnerships with engineering
institutes and product leaders in this field. Additionally, a Transfer of Technology agreement
with Ottobock has enabled the production and fitment of international-standard prosthetic device
for lower-limb amputees.
Further, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued the Accessibility Standards for
Health Care notified on 4th May 2023, mandating accessibility measures all in healthcare
facilities. The guidelines also emphasize accessibility of hospital and health-related websites to
ensure seamless navigation using assistive technologies. In addition, the Indian Council of
Medical Research has released the National List of Essential Assistive Products to promote
universal access to essential assistive devices and support healthcare and rehabilitation services.
(d) Under the Department’s Awareness Generation & Publicity (AGP) Scheme, various
awareness programmes are conducted through events organized by National Institutes (NIs),
Composite Regional Centres (CRCs), Regional Centres (RCs) under the Department,
Government Bodies, Educational Institutions, and registered NGOs/Organizations to create
general awareness about the schemes and programmes of the Department for the welfare of
Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and also to sensitise employers and other stakeholders about
the special needs of persons with disabilities and promote their overall well being and
empowerment.
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