Welfare Schemes for Disabled.

   Department of Disability Affairs under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment administers the following major schemes for the welfare and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities: (i) Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) under which financial assistance is provided to Non-governmental organizations running projects for the welfare of persons with disabilities & (ii) Schemes of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/ Appliances (ADIP) under which assistance is provided to Implementing Agencies for providing aids and appliances to persons with disabilities.

   Besides, seven National Institutes (NIs), eight Composite Regional Centers (CRCs) and 220 District Disability Rehabilitation Centres (DDRCs) under the Ministry are engaged in human resource development, providing rehabilitation services to the persons with disabilities, research & development efforts and awareness generation etc.

   Enhancement of budget depends on factors like requirement, availability and utilization of funds. Notwithstanding this the budget for the disability sector has been increasing over the years.

    Under DDRS and ADIP Schemes, grants are released on receipt of recommendations of the State Govt. and the inspection report in respect of a particular NGO/Agency. In the case of ADIP, the recommending authority also conducts 5 to 10% test check of the beneficiaries from the previous grant to the organization. The organizations are also required to furnish audited utilization certificate in respect of the previous grant.

   The National Institutes, their Regional Centres and Composite Regional Centres have been allocated States/UTs for inspection and monitoring of the NGOs/ Implementing Agencies receiving grants under the disability related schemes.

   The Department has nominated Nodal Officers for various regions, States/UTs for monitoring the implementation of various schemes.

   This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri D. Napoleon in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.