Sanghas in Rural Areas

No. R.20015/1/97 IRD IV
Government of India
Ministry of Rural Areas & Employment

Krishi Bhavan New Delhi
Dated the 24th Jan, 1977

To
The Secretary
Deptt. Of Women and Child Development
All States and U.T.S.

Sub:- Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, protection of Rights and full participation) Act, 1995 implementation of the provision thereof.

Sir/ Madam,

As you may be aware that the persons with Disabilities (Equal opportunities, Protection of Rights and full Participation) Act, 1995 which was passed by parliament on 22.12.95 has come into force with effect from 7.2.1996. this Act is an important landmark in the employment of persons with disabilities through creation of equal opportunities and protection of their rights.

The status of implementation of the provision of the Act has been reviewed recently by the Minster of Rural Areas and Employment and he has given direction that the provisions of the Act are implemented faithfully and with promptitude.

There are provisions under IRDE and TRYSEM that 3% reservation of the total coverage of beneficiaries for physical handicapped persons. This Ministry is also taking action to introduce a scheme for organizing groups of persons with disabilities living in rural areas into Sangam/Group and providing Rs.25000 to each group for taking up viable economic activities suitable to them.

A Decision has been taken that under DWCRA, separate groups of disabled women should be organized. If necessary, this may be done by relaxing area norms.

It is requested that the state Govt./Union territory Administration may issue suitable instructions to all District Rural Development agencies under them to identify suitable disabled rural women who are below poverty line and organize them into DWCRA groups of 10-15 persons and provide them financial assistance of Rs.25000/- for each group. There is a possibility that sufficient number of beneficiaries may not be available in one village. In that case, groups may be allowed to be formed drawing disabled women from various villages within the same Gram Panchayat.

All Facilities may be extended to the DWCRA groups of disabled women as provided to other DWCRA groups including skill training, marketing facilities and convergence of other programmes.

Yours Faithfully
(R.K. Mishra)
Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India

Copy for information and necessary action to :
  1. All DRDAs
  2. All officers and sections in the IRD Division