National Resource Kit: The Nagaland Chapter (Call for Comments)

Note: The chapter is an early draft and will undergo subsequent modifications. We welcome comments and feedback from our readers.

Executive Summary

The Department of Social Security and Welfare is the wing under the State Government of Nagaland that is responsible for the schemes for persons with disabilities.  The Nagaland Parents Association for the Disabled (NAPAD), an NGO, have alleged that the schemes introduced by the State Government are yet to be implemented within the State.

Quick Statistics

• Capital: Kohima
• Population: 1,980,602 (as per 2011 census)
• People with disabilities: 26,499 (2001 census)
• Literacy: 80.11%

Legal Provisions

There is no state specific legislation for persons with disabilities.  The Government of Nagaland has implemented the following schemes:

Aids and Appliances
In February 2009, the Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment through its Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP) scheme allocated Rs. 37 lakhs to eight districts of Nagaland to provide aids and appliances to disabled persons. Those with a monthly family income under Rs. 6500 are provided appliances free of cost, while those up to Rs. 10000 receive a 50% subsidy.

Accessibility

1. Free bus travel on State Transport buses is provided for people with locomotor disabilities.
2. Visually impaired passengers with escorts also get free transport in State Transport Buses.

Education

1. Students with disabilities from Class I to IV are provided with Rs. 35 per month, while Class V to VIII are provided with Rs. 50 a month. This is provided under the State Government Scheme for Persons with Disabilities.
2. A grant is also provided to students with disabilities undergoing training in typing.

Employment

1. Reservation of Government Jobs: 5% of all positions listed in the Schedule to No. AR-3/Gen-9/97 is reserved for persons with disabilities.  Of this 5%, 1% will be reserved for the categories of blindness, low vision, hearing impairment, loco motor disability and cerebral palsy (in this order).
2. The upper age limit for jobs in Public Service and Public Undertakings is relaxed by five years for persons with disabilities  by Order no. AR-8/27/76 dated 10/8/1977.
3. By the recommendation of the Nagaland Department of Social Welfare, the National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation sanctioned a loan of Rs. 50,000 each to 499 people (in 2012) to take up trades such as grocery selling, vegetable gardening/vending, raising pigs, poultry, tailoring, handicrafts, etc.

Health and Rehabilitation

There is no State Government scheme for health and rehabilitation. Under the Rashtriya Gramin Punarvas Yojana, scheme of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, a District Fitment Centre catering to all persons with disabilities has been established in one district.

Social Protection

1. As of October 2012, 200 completely blind people were provided with financial assistance of Rs. 200 per month under the State Government Welfare Scheme for Persons with Disabilities.
2. Under the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme, the department provides a monthly pension of Rs. 200 to persons with severe disabilities of 18 years and older, of which there were 1276 beneficiaries as of October 2012 in Nagaland
3. Physically disabled persons also receive Rs. 60 per month as a disability pension under the State Government Welfare Scheme for Persons with disabilities.
4. Aged persons with disabilities without relatives or family have access to a state-sponsored home.

Sources

• http://nlsic.gov.in/chapter/social_deptt.htm
• http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2011/10/20/napad-says-nagaland-has-26000-disabled-persons/
• http://nagaland.nic.in/functionaries/department/basic/P&AR/memo05/Disability%20Act.pdf
• http://www.disabilityindia.com/html/feb09news.html#adip
• http://www.disabilityindia.co.in/useful-information/state.php#Nagaland
• http://www.punarbhava.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=313&Itemid=59