Poverty Alleviation Programs

Government of India
Minstry of Rural Areas and & Employment
(IRD-I Division)

Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi
Dated the 22nd Oct 1996

To
Principal Secretary

Sir,

As you are already aware under the poverty alleviation programmed the implementing agencies have a mandate to extend assistance to a minimum of 3 % persons with disability of the total number of beneficiaries targeted to be covered by them. The achievement so far in respect of such coverage has been very low. The first step towards achieving this target is to facilitate / promote manoeurability and mobility of the disabled persons by providing them with necessary aids and appliances. This would enable them to receive the benefit of vocational training and concessional finance for income generating self-employment activities.

Ministry of welfare as you may be aware is implementing a scheme which provides assistance to disabled persons for purchase / fitment of aids/ appliances (in short known as ADIP Scheme copy of the scheme is enclosed). The main objective of the scheme is to assist needy physically handicapped persons in procuring durable and scientifically manufactured standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation and consequent integration into the mainstream of society. The scheme is applicable to all categories of disabled persons subject to prescribed to prescribed income ceiling. Assistance provided under the scheme would help in increasing the capacity of the disabled to take up economic activities.

The scheme is implemented through registered societies / Trusts companies and other institution recognized by govt. of India. Aids and appliances, such as wheel chairs, crutches calipers, hearing aids, Braille slates etc. are admissible under the scheme. This provides implementing agencies the opportunity to converge this scheme with the poverty alleviation programmes for ensuring coverage of disabled persons equitably in all districts of the country.

It is therefore, suggested that all DRDA may take up this work to fulfill the targets regarding coverage of disable persons set for them. They may apply to the Ministry of welfare in the proforma prescribed persons and undertaking the fitment work. The suitable agencies for this purpose could include the medical colleges, district hospitals, limb fitting centres of ALIMCO, National Institutes in various areas of disability and any professionally competent NGO with good track record and experience in this field.

For any information concerning aids and appliances, DRDAs may correspond with MD, Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) located in Kanpur which is a PSU under the ministry of welfare. Deputy Secretary, Shri Sanjeev Kumar (Tele. No. 3388519) in the ministry of welfare may also be contacted any further clarification on the scheme.

The contents of this letter may please be brought to the notice of all DRDAs in the state for necessary action. In implementing the scheme, DRDAs may be advised to seek the help and assistance of the District Welfare Officer and his Staff.

Yours Faithfully
(R.K. Mishra)
Joint Secretary (IRD)