National Resource Kit: The Delhi 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 Welfare is responsible for the welfare of persons with disabilities in the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Delhi NCT). The territory has an estimated population of 2,35,886[1] persons with disabilities in a total population of 16,753,235 [2] people.The government of Delhi NCT offers two schemes in Education, three schemes in Skill Training & Employment, and five schemes and three services in Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation & Recreation.

Legal Provisions

The government of Delhi NCT has framed the Delhi Persons with Disabilities (Protection of Rights, Equal Opportunities and Full Participation) Rules 2001[3] and the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Rules 2000.[4]

The various schemes brought out by Delhi NCT for persons with disabilities are listed below.[5]

Education

• The government provides scholarships to students with disabilities in the following scale:

The government provides three per cent reservation in seats at I. T. I.s for persons with disabilities.

Skill Training & Employment

• Delhi NCT provides three per cent reservation in Grade C and Grade D state government posts in direct recruitment for persons with disabilities.
• Persons with disabilities are provided ten years relaxation in the upper age limit for applying to state government posts.
• The government provides persons with disabilities five per cent reservation in allotment of DDA shops and kiosks. Persons with disabilities are also provided two per cent reservation in allotment of municipality shops.

Social Security, Health, Rehabilitation and Recreation

Persons with disabilities are issued Disability Identity cards at the offices of the sub-divisional magistrates under whose jurisdiction they reside from 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on all working days.[6] Applicants should carry the following at the time of application:

• Filled-in application form
• Attested photocopy of first three pages of ration card showing proof of three years residence in Delhi
• Attested photocopy of medical Certificate in respect of disability from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, Hindu Rao Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Ram Manoher Lohia Hospital, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences etc.
• Two passport size photographs – one should be attested by a gazetted officer
• For issuance of duplicate identity card, Rs. 10/- to be deposited with the cashier of District and the receipt should be attached with the application form
• Ration Card is required at the time of submission of application form

Persons with disabilities may also apply for Disability Identity card at the offices of the Deputy Commissioner / Additional Commissioner (Disabilities) of their respective districts.[7]

The government has identified the following hospitals for issuing disability certificates:

• Lok Nayak Hospital
• Aruna Asaf Ali Government Hospital
• Hindu Rao Hospital
• Satyavadi Raja Harish Chander Hospital (for rural areas)
• Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital
• Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital, Shastri Nagar
• Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital
• Guru Gobind Singh Hospital
• Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital
• Rao Tula Ram Hospital (for rural areas)
• Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital
• Dr. Hedgewar Arogya Sansthan, Karkadoona
• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital, Rohini
• Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Mangolpuri
• Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital, Pitampura
• Maharishi Valmiki Hospital, Pooth Khurd

Persons with mental illness, mental disabilities and neurological disorders can obtain disability certificates from:

• Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences
• GB Pant Hospital

Persons with disabilities up to the age of 60 years are eligible to receive financial assistance from the government under the 2009 scheme.[9]

Assistance of Rs. 1000 per month is provided to meet the rehabilitation and daily living requirements to those fulfilling the following requirements:

• Disability should be at least 40 per cent
• Total family income should not exceed Rs. 75,000 per annum
• Should have resided in Delhi for at least five years before applying
• Should possess disability certificate from the medical board of a government hospital
• Should not be in receipt of similar assistance from another source

Persons with disabilities above the age of 60 years are eligible for financial assistance under the Scheme of Old Age Assistance. [10] Under this scheme persons in the age range of 60 to 69 years are eligible for a monthly pension of Rs. 1000 and persons 70 years and above are eligible for a pension of Rs. 1500 per month. Beneficiaries will be automatically transferred from the disability pension scheme upon completion of 60 years to the old age pension scheme. Likewise, upon completion of 69 years, beneficiaries will be automatically eligible for the higher pension. Applicants fulfilling the following conditions may apply in the prescribed format with proof of domicile, age and income:

• Should have resided in Delhi NCT for the last five years
• Total family income should not exceed Rs. 60,000 per annum
• Should not be in receipt of pension from any other source

All voluntary organisations working for persons with disabilities will have to register with the department to be recognised by the Social Welfare Department under the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995.[11]

The Joint Director (Social Welfare) is the competent authority for this purpose. Organisations fulfilling the following conditions are eligible to apply to the office of the District Social Welfare officer:

• Should have been in the field for not less than three years
• Should be already registered under the relevant law
• Should have a properly constituted managing body according to its written constitution
• Should be a non profit organisation
• Should be able to run the organisation without funding from the government
• Professionals should be RCI registered
• Premises should be disability friendly and have barrier free access
• Should have audited accounts for the last three years

The Department of Social Welfare organises disability camps annually in association with government hospitals, DTC, Department of Education, Office of the Divisional Commissioner, National Trust, Indian Railways and disability NGOs.[12] The following services are provided at the camps:
Disability certificate from the government hospital of the area

• DTC passes
• Identity card from the office of the DC
• Registration in integrated school
• Railways concession pass
• Services for autism and cerebral palsy
• Aids and Appliances
• Forms to avail various schemes

Persons with disabilities are provided one per cent reservation in allotment of DDA plots.

DTC issues free passes for persons with disabilities. Escorts for persons with visual impairment are given 50 per cent concession.

Persons with disabilities who are owners of vehicles are exempted from payment of road tax.

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

[2].http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/censusinfodashboard/stock/profiles/en/IND007_NCT%20of%20Delhi.pdf

[3].No. F.2 (DDHW)/DSW/PDA/Pt.I/1949 dated 27.12.2001

[4].GSR 639(E) dated 26.7.2000.

[5].http://punarbhava.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=150&Itemid=89

[6].http://www.delhigovt.nic.in/dept/pubserv/Handicap.asp

[7].http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_socialwelfare/SocialWelfare/Home/Our+Services/Welfare+of+Persons+with+Disabilities/Office+for+Issuance+of+I-Card

[8].http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_socialwelfare/SocialWelfare/Home/Our+Services/Welfare+of+Persons+with+Disabilities/Hospitals+for+Issuance+of+Disability+Certificates

[9].http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_socialwelfare/SocialWelfare/Home/Our+Services/Welfare+of+Persons+with+Disabilities/Schemes

[10].http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/DOIT_SocialWelfare/socialwelfare/home/our+services/financial+assistance+welfare+scheme+details+and+notifications+etc.

[11].http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_socialwelfare/SocialWelfare/Home/Our+Services/Welfare+of+Persons+with+Disabilities/Registration+Certificate+Under+Section+52+of+Disability+Act

[12].http://delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_socialwelfare/SocialWelfare/Home/Our+Services/Welfare+of+Persons+with+Disabilities/Disability+Camps