National Resource Kit: The Arunachal Pradesh 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

[1]The 2001 Census revealed that in Arunachal Pradesh 2.41% of the population consisted of persons with disabilities totalling up to 33,315 persons. Of this, 23,079 people had visual disabilities (making it 69.28% of all persons with disabilities), 2,429 people had speech disabilities, 3,072 had hearing disabilities, 1261 had mental disabilities and 3,474 people had loco motor disabilities. Arunachal Pradesh has 0.152% of the total persons with disabilities population in India.

Quick Statistics:

• Capital: Itanagar
• Population: 1,382,611
• Population of persons with disabilities:33,315
• Literacy rate: 66.95%

The Department of Social Welfare and Empowerment, Arunachal Pradesh implements the various rules and schemes concerning persons with disabilities in the state. The State Government has also appointed a Commissioner for Disabilities. They have also set up a special employment exchange for persons with disabilities.[2]

Accessibility

1. The Assistance to Disabled Persons Scheme (ADIP) of the Central Government, economic assistance by way of ex-gratia relief is provided by the Directorate of Social Welfare for the welfare and rehabilitation and for purchase of aids and appliances.
2. Under the central government’s Scheme of Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 (SIPDA),  Arunachal Pradesh was allocated Rs 10 lakh during 2011-12 to make public buildings accessible to persons with disabilities.

Education

1. The Chief Minister’s Talent Award Scheme: This entails an award which would be given to toppers amongst both boys and girls in Class 10 and 12 who are having 100% disability, in all schools of the state. It would carry a cash award of Rs 10,000 and a laptop.

Employment

1. Reservation in Government jobs: In Grade 'C' and 'D' posts under the Govt., reservation is provided in direct recruitment for persons with disabilities in the following ratio as per the PWD Act:  Visually impaired - 1%, Locomotor disability - 1%, Hearing impairment - 1%
2. Assistance for self-employment: Persons with disabilities get assistance for self-employment.

Health and Rehabilitation

1. National Programme for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (NPRPD): This is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme funded entirely by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India. From 2005 - 2006, the Scheme has been transferred to State Sector to be funded by State Govt. The NPRPD is now known as "State Programme for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (SPRPD)". It is a State Sector Scheme to provide welfare and rehabilitation to the persons with disabilities of the State under the PWD Act 1995.
2. Rehabilitation scheme: For the rehabilitation and settlement of persons with disabilities the Directorate has been implementing this Scheme under which ex-gratia relief is provided to persons with disabilities (PWDs) subject to the ceiling of Rs. 5,000/- or Rs. 10,000/- as a one time grant for resettlement and rehabilitation of PWDs. This grant takes into consideration the degree of disabilities.
3. Medical Expenses: Reimbursement for medical treatment is available to persons with disabilities whose family income is less than Rs.200/-p.m. and who is not in receipt of adequate medical reimbursement from any other sources. The amount given for this purpose should not exceed Rs.5,000/-, including the cost of Prosthetic aids. Journey expense for patient and for escort shall also be paid. [3]

Source Security

1. The Chief Minister’s Disability Pension Scheme: under this scheme, persons with 100% visual and locomotor disability who are from certain districts, would be eligible to get a pension of upto Rs. 6000/- per annum.
2. The Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) is a component of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). Under IGNDPS, central assistance of Rs. 300 p.m. per beneficiary is provided to persons with severe or multiple disabilities in the age group of 18-79 years and belonging to a household living below poverty line (BPL) as per criteria prescribed by Government of India.

[1]. http://socialjustice.nic.in/disablewise.php

[2].http://ccdisabilities.nic.in/page.php?s=reg&t=def&p=cont_list_st_comm

[3]. http://www.sightsaversindia.in/in_depth/policy_and_research/17581_Policies%20and%20Schemes%20of%20Central%20and%20State%20Governments%20for%20People%20with%20Disabilities.pdf