Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)
As per Census 2011, the figures about PwDs in Punjab are as follows:
| Sr. No. | Details | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Total Population of the State | 277.43 lac |
| 2 | Physically Handicapped/Disabled Persons Population | 6.54 lac |
| 3 | Percentage to Total Population | 2.35% |
There are 6,54,043 disabled persons in the state as per Census 2011. Out of these 3,76,087 disabled persons in the State are issued the disability certificates. During year 2016-2017, a total number of 57,713 disability certificates were issued.
The Government of Punjab has made the following provisions for betterment and welfare of the disabled:
- All children born in Govt. Hospitals, Homes, enrolled in Anganwari Centres in a year and all school children are regularly provided health check up under school health programme. Disabled children are identified and referred to hospitals for further management. Early Intervention Centers have been constructed in five districts i.e. Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Rupnagar, and Tarn Taran. Special medical and Health Education camps are organized from time to time in which people are educated about general hygiene, sanitation and preventive measures such as role of vaccines in preventing diseases, role of nutrition, iron and folic acid (IFA)during pregnancy, role of iodized salt, Vitamin A etc.
- There are 96,186 differently abled children below 18 year of age studying in schools. Differently abled children are paid scholarship @ Rs. 200/- p.m. up to 8th class and Rs. 300/- up to 12th class. The State Govt. provides free education to disabled children upto 12th standard.
- Braille Press is set up at Jamalpur in Ludhiana where Braille books upto 10th standard, as per PSEB syllabus, are printed and are supplied free of cost to the blind students. A Govt. Institution for Blind is running at Jamalpur where 60 students including 32 boys and 28 girls are studying upto10th standard with facility of free boarding and lodging including free books.
- To provide skill training, there are 3 Vocational Rehabilitation Centres at Bathinda, Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana where differently abled persons are trained in trades of Computer, Stitching and Tailoring, Embroidery and Stenography. In addition to it a NGO namely Sarthak Educational Trust has been roped in to provide skill training to differently abled persons in the State.
- A special employment exchange is established at Ludhiana for PwDs, where 776 unemployed PwDs are registered. An unemployment allowance of Rs. 450/- per month to those who have qualification upto 12th standard and Rs. 600/- per month to those who have the qualification above the 12th standard is provided. The unemployment allowance is given after 2 years from the date of registration, if they don’t get employment.
- In the Urban Development department, there is provision of 3% reservation in allotment of plots/flats in addition to 5% rebate in price of plot. Also, 3% reservation is given in allotment of booths in Rehari markets.
- The differently abled persons are being extended benefit of Rural Development schemes like IAY, MGNREGA and state rural livelihood mission. They are extended such benefit under the provision of 3% quota for them.
- The differently abled persons are provided a monthly financial assistance of Rs. 500/- by the State Govt. in addition to Rs. 300/- p.m by Govt. of India. There are 1.49 Lacs differently abled persons getting this benefit in the State.
- The disabled persons are entitled to 50% bus fare concession in Govt. buses and the visually impaired can travel free of cost.
- The differently abled persons are given reservation @ 3% in Govt. Jobs in all groups. They are entitled for 10 years age relaxation for appointment in Govt. jobs.
- The State Govt. has already identified 1,647 vacant posts in Group A, B, C and D through special drive for which recruitment process is in progress.
- The State Govt. has allocated 10 acres of land at Zirakpur to set up a Centre for Disabilities Sports. Another 5 acres of land is being located to establish Composite Regional Centre for differently abled persons. In the meantime, a built up area of 4,000 Sq. ft in PUNWAC building situated in Mohali has already been earmarked to run the Composite Regional Centre till its own building is constructed on 5 acres of land.
- The State Govt. has set up 3 Community Homes for Mentally Retarded Persons at Ludhiana, Amritsar and Rajpura where the inmates are provided free accommodation ,health care and education provided the income of their parents/guardians income does not exceed Rs. 36,000/- per annum.
- The State Govt. has set up a Spinal Injuries Centre in 5 acres at Sector 70, Mohali with an expenditure of Rs.15.50 Crores. It provides treatment, spinal surgery besides physiotherapy and indoor rehabilitation to parabolic patients. So far 1,67,419 patients have been treated which includes 72,295 patients treated through physiotherapy and 988 have under gone spinal operations.
Grant-in-aid provided by the State
Non-Government organizations in the State, which render welfare services to physically and mentally handicapped persons, are eligible for Grant-in-aid from Department of Social Security. Such grant-in-aid includes the funds for the care, education and rehabilitation of physically and mentally handicapped persons (the blind, the deaf, the dumb and the crippled) and home for the aged. The detail of Grant-in-Aid released to the NGO’s is appended below:
| Sr. No. | Name of the NGO | 2011-12(in Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guru Ram Dass Kushat Ashram, Bhikhiwind Road, Amritsar. | 1,00,000/- |
| 2 | Shiv Shakti Kushat Ashram, Mukatsar. | 75,000/- |
| 3 | Doaba Kushat Ashram, Nawanshehar | 1,00,000/- |
| 4 | Satluj Kushat Ashram, G.T. Road, Phillaur, Jalandhar | 1,00,000/- |
| 5 | Nirmohi Kushat Ashram, Moga | 1,00,000/- |
| 6 | Anad Dham Kushat Ashram, Ferozepur | 75,000/- |
| 7 | Universal Disabled Care Taker- Social Welfare Society, Padiala, Distt. Mohali | 1,50,000/- |
| 8 | Jeevan Jyoti Special School for Mentally Retarded, Nabha, Patiala | 1,50,000/- |
| 9 | Adarsh Kushat Ashram, Leprosy Colony, Hoshiarpur | 65,000/- |
| 10 | Ganga Nirmala Kushat Ashram, Kapurthala | 65,000/- |
| 11 | Lajpat Rai Kushat Ashram, Raikot Road Jagraon, Ludhiana | 65,000/- |
| 12 | Kushat Ashram, Leprosy Colony, Ludhiana | 65,000/- |
| 13 | Adarsh Kushat Ashram, Batala, Distt Gurdaspur | 65,000/- |
| 14 | Radhey Sham Kushat Ashram, Beas, Distt. Amritsar | 1,00,000/- |
| 15 | Shri Ram Mandir Colony, Tarn Taran | 1,00,000/- |
| 16 | Shiv Mandir Kushat Ashram, Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib | 1,00,000/- |
| 17 | Neel Kanth Kushat Ashram, Fatehgarh Churian, Distt. Gurdaspur | 1,00,000/- |
| 18 | Sewa Sadan Leprosy Colony, Dina Nagar, Gurdaspur | 1,00,000/- |
| 19 | Navjeevan Kushat Ashram, Malout, Distt. Mukatsar | 75,000/- |
| 20 | Bhagat Singh Kushat Ashram, Hoshiarpur Road Dasuya, Hoshiarpur | 1,00,000/- |
| 21 | Distt. Anti Leprosy Association, Jalandhar | 1,00,000/- |
| 22 | Baba Farid Kushat Ashram, Faridkot | 1,00,000/- |
| Total (Nineteen Lacs) | 19,00,000/- |
Scheme for Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP scheme)
The main objective of the ADIP scheme is to assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances to promote physical, social, psychological rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities for reducing the effects of disabilities and at the same time enhance their economic potential. Assistive devices are given to PwDs with an aim to improve their independent functioning, and to arrest the extent of disability and occurrence of secondary disability. The aids and appliances supplied under the Scheme must have due certification. In State of Punjab 1032 tricycles, 286 wheel chairs, 1153 walking sticks, 1817 hearing aids and 287 artificial limbs worth Rs. 2.39 Crores have supplied to needy disabled persons during current year.
| Sr. No. | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-12 | 14.77 Lacs |
| 2 | 2012-13 | 10.71 Lacs |
| 3 | 2013-14 | 4.00 Lacs |
| 4 | 2014-15 | 2.21 Lacs |
| 5 | 2015-16 | 1.16 Lacs |
| Total | 32.85 Lacs |
District Disability Rehabilitation Centres (DDRC)
The District Disability Rehabilitation Centers are set up under the Plan Scheme for implementation of Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. Setting up of District Disability Rehabilitation Centres (DDRCs) would provide rehabilitation through survey & identification of persons with disabilities through camp approach. In State of Punjab there are seven DDRCs situated at Bathinda, Sangrur, Ferozpur, Hoshiarpur, Moga, Amritsar and Patiala.
Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme to promote Voluntary Action for persons with Disabilities (Revised DDRS Scheme)
The Central Government has been providing grant-in-aid to Non-Governmental Organizations during the Five Year Plans through various schemes for projects relating to rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. Assistive aids and appliances to PwDs are provided under another Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry named "Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Puchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP)."
Grant-in-Aid released by Govt. of India under DDRS Scheme:
| Sr. No. | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-12 | 87.75 Lacs |
| 2 | 2012-13 | 60.32 Lacs |
| 3 | 2013-14 | 82.36 Lacs |
| 4 | 2014-15 | 26.00 Lacs |
| 5 | 2015-16 | 9.76 Lacs |
| Total | 266.19 Lacs |
NGOs are being given assistance under Deendayal Disable Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) for providing a wide range of services to children/persons with disability. e.g.
- Programmes for pre-school and early intervention
- Special education,
- Vocational training and placement
- Community based rehabilitation
- Manpower development
- Psycho-social rehabilitation of persons with mental illness
- Rehabilitation of leprosy-cured persons etc.
Artificial Limbs
In the state of Punjab camps were organized in 11 Districts during year 2015-2016 and 2,967 disabled persons attended the camp. These camps were organised by ALIMCO (Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India) with the help of concerned District Administration.
State Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Aims and objectives
The aims and objectives of these State Awards is to honour the disabled persons who will be adjudged to be the best skilled workers, efficient employees of the State Government, Corporation, Boards, Universities, Public Sector and Private Sector undertakings, Self employed handicapped persons, Sports Persons, Social Workers who have rendered best work in a year in the cause of the disabled falling in any category of disability in order to encourage them. Besides this, the employers who have provided employment to the handicapped persons will be awarded State Awards. More than one individual and one institution may share an Award in an year.
Award for Best Employee/ Self Employed with Disabilities
Under this category there shall be total number of 6 awards (one each in sub-category). However, there can be more than one award in any sub-category but the total number of awards will not exceed 6 awards in this category of awards.
| Sr. No. | Sub-category | No. of Awards | Components of Awards | Eligible Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | Blindness | One[Male or Female] | Cash of Rupees Ten Thousand, a citation and a certificate to awardee | |
| ii | Low Vision | One[Male or Female] | Cash of Rupees Ten Thousand, a citation and a certificate to awardee. | |
| iii | Leprosy Cured | One[Male or Female] | Cash of Rupees Ten Thousand, a citation and a certificate to awardee. | |
| iv | Hearing Impairment | One[Male or Female] | Cash of Rupees Ten Thousand, a citation and a certificate to awardee. | |
| v | Locomotor Disability | One[Male or Female] | Cash of Rupees Ten Thousand, a citation and a certificate to awardee. |
|
| vi | Multiple Disabilities | One[Male or Female] | Cash of Rupees Ten Thousand, a citation and a certificate to awardee. | Manjagmeet Singh (60% OH Right hand and Right leg) |
Award for Best Employers
| Sr. No. | Sub-category | No. of Awards | Components of Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Best Employer | One- Any one out of
|
Cash of Rupees Ten Thousand, a citation and a certificate to awardee. |
Award for Best Individual and Institution Working for the Cause of Persons with Disabilities
| Sr. No. | Sub-category | No. of Awards | Components of Awards | Eligible Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | Best Individual | Two (One each for Professional and Non Professional providing holistic comprehensive services to the persons with disabilities in a comprehensive manner. | Cash of Rupees Ten Thousand, a citation and a certificate to awardee. |
|
| ii | Best Institution/ NGO | Two (One each for: i) An organization providing holistic comprehensive services to the persons with disabilities in a comprehensive manner. and ii) An organization promoting inclusive education to the children/persons with disabilities |
Cash of Rupees Twenty Five Thousand, a citation and a certificate to awardee. |
|
Award for Best sports person with disability
| Sr. No. | Sub-category | No. of Awards | Components of Awards | Eligible Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | Best sports person with disability | Two[One for Male and Onefor Female] in any of 6 sub-categoryof disability, | Cash of Rupees Ten Thousand, a citation and a certificate to awardee. | Eligible Candidates
|
Procedure for inviting applications for the awards and selection of Awardees
- Applications shall be invited from eligible candidates or establishment or institutions in categories as prescribed above through advertisement in the leading Regional Newspapers.
- The photocopies or typed forms will be accepted.
- The applications will be accepted in office of District Social Security Officers at each District Head Quarters.
Procedure/Mode of selection
Initially, recommendation will be made by a District Level Committee consisting of the following:
- Deputy Commissioner
- Chief Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon Member
- District Social Security Officer Member Secretary
- District Sports Officer Member
Each district level committee will forward its recommendations to the Director, Social Security Department, Punjab, Chandigarh by the 31st September every year.
The State Government of Punjab, may at its discretion, consider individuals and institutions etc. not recommended by the Distt. level committees for the awards.
Screening Committees for short-listing of nominations received
There shall be a State Level Screening Committee for final selection/short listing of awardees in different categories of State Awards. The Screening Committee at State Level is constituted and notified vide letter No. 7/10/09-7SS/313 dated 2ndMarch, 2009 and shall continue to function under these guidelines reconstructed by the Govt.
Criteria for selection
For best employees or self-employed with disabilities
The employees and self employed disabled persons are to be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
- Rate of Production
- Absenteeism.
- Co-operation with superiors and fellow employees
- Sense of independence, and
- No excessive demands for extra remuneration to compensate for disability.
For selection of Employer
Employers are to be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
- At least 3% of their employees are disabled subject to a minimum of 3 in a given establishment. In the case of large establishments employing 15 disabled persons or more and the condition of 3% need not be rigidly adhered to.
- That wherever necessary minor adjustments in the machinery have been made.
- That the disabled employees are offered the same conditions or service including that rates of pay as given to other employees.
- That the employees have shown sympathetic understanding or the problem of the disabled, and
- That when necessary and feasible, such additional facilities as accommodation are provided.
For selection of Individual / Institutions / NGO
The individual/ institution /Non Government Organization should have been in the field of Welfare of Handicapped /Disabled Persons for at least a period of two years and should have to its record, a good performance in the field. They could be Government aided or otherwise. The selection will be made solely on the basis of quality of performance and the number of disabled persons covered by the performance in the State of Punjab. There is no objection to an individual and the institution with which the individual is connected receiving the award in the same year. Also more than one individual and one institution may share an award in the year.
For selection of handicapped Sports Persons
The handicapped sports persons are to be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
- The sportsmen/Women should have participated in the National /State/ Distt./Block level competition in any event.
- Performance/ achievements of handicapped sportsmen/Women in the field of sports.
- He/ she should be duly certified by the concerned Medical Board for his/ her being handicapped with the percentage of disability.
Presentation of awards
The awards will be presented to the awardees on 3rd of December every year, which is celebrated as the “International Day of Disabled Persons” at the District Level function organized at one of district Head Quarters in the state, which is selected by the Cabinet Minister of the Department.
Note: For the benefits, validity and application procedure of a scheme, please contact your nearest DPO.
Source: Department of Social Security and Development of Women and Children Government of Punjab