Rs 5,000 as aid to those caring for differently abled likely soon in Delhi
A financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to caretakers and attendants of people suffering from over 80% or above disability is likely to be provided soon by the Delhi government in a first-of-its-kind initiative, officials have said.
'This is going to be the first such scheme in the Capital where the caretakers will also receive financial assistance from the government…,' Delhi Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh said. 'A proposal has been prepared in this regard, and it was already discussed in the Cabinet meeting once… Some changes are being made. Once it is ready, the proposal will be presented before the Cabinet again for approval and further implementation,' he added.
The Capital, the Minister said, has 1,000 such families with people having 80% or above disability, and who are completely dependent on their family members and others. For an accurate figure, however, the department is also planning to conduct a survey so that only those eligible can avail the benefits under the proposed scheme.
'This is a first-of-its-kind proposal not only in Delhi but across the country,' a senior official said.
The Social Welfare Department's existing pension scheme provides persons with over 40% disability a monthly aid of Rs 2,500. As per official data, about 1.5 lakh specially-abled people are availing this pension scheme. However, no assistance is provided to their caregivers.
'The aim behind this scheme is to ensure that there is no negligence in the care of such persons with disabilities, especially those from economically weaker sections. Also, the attendants receive some financial support… because well-to-do families have separate nurses or caretakers to take care of such persons…But the case is different in poor families, so this scheme will help them financially,' the senior official added.
Officials said the caretakers can be parents, siblings, or anyone who is taking care of the differently abled.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the Social Welfare Minister also inspected the under-construction building for mentally challenged individuals in Narela on Friday. Once completed, individuals currently residing in overcrowded shelter homes like Asha Kiran Home in Rohini will be relocated here.
The building, located within the Nursing College Hostel premises and the Primary Urban Health Centre campus in Narela, will accommodate 220 differently abled residents. This facility is expected to be operational within three months.
The Minister directed the officials to ensure the building is wheelchair-friendly and there is no encroachment around the premises, so that ambulance movement does not face any obstruction.
Indraj also said that multiple facilities are being developed across the city for differently abled people. Once the facilities in Mamurpur and Dallupura are completed, they will significantly improve access to services, safety, and healthcare for the differently abled, he added.
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