The significant enhancement of 80% in the Plan Outlay for
2010-11 for the Ministry of SJ&E to enable it to revise the rate of
scholarship under post matric scholarship schemes for
SC and OBC students and for other schemes and programmes
for the persons with disabilities; reconstitution of the National Commission
for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), National Commission for Safai
Karamcharis (NCSK) and the National Commission for
Backward Classes; constitution of Task Force by Planning Commission to
re-examine and revise the extant guidelines for implementation of SC Sub-Plan
and Tribal Sub-plan by the Central Ministries and the State Governments;
release of funds to four states under the pilot scheme of “Pradhan
Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojna PMAGY)”; amendments to the Central
Lists of Backward Classes; submission of Report by the Commission for
Economically Backward Classes, launching of accessible website of the Ministry;
simplification and streamlining the procedure of issue of Disability Certificates
to the persons with disabilities; establishment of new District Disability
Rehabilitation Centres, Task Force set up to
establish National
Centre for Universal Design and Barrier-free Environment (NCUDBE); constitution
of committee to review the National Policy on Older Persons; pilot National
Survey on Drug Abuse and enhanced concessional loans by the National Finance
and Development Corporations marked the major activities of the Ministry of
Social Justice & Empowerment during 2010. Following is a brief account of
major activities during the outgoing year:-
Utilization
of Plan Outlay in 2009-10
The Ministry utilized
98% of its plan allocations during 2009-10. The plan outlay for 2009-10
and its utilization – Sector/Bureau-wise is given below:
(Rs in crore)
|
S. No.
|
Sector/Bureau
|
BE, 2009-10
|
Exp in
2009-10
|
Col 4 as per cent to Col 3
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
1.
|
Scheduled
Castes Development
|
1900.00
|
1932.60
|
101.7
|
2.
|
Backward
Classes Development
|
245.00
|
261.10
|
106.6
|
3.
|
Development
and Welfare of Persons with Disabilities
|
260.00
|
197.35
|
75.9
|
4.
|
Social Defence
|
95.00
|
58.06
|
61.1
|
Total
|
2500.00
|
2449.11
|
98%
|
Enhancement in Plan Outlay in 2010-11
The Plan Outlay
of the Ministry was enhanced by 80% (to Rs 4500 crore, from Rs 2500 crore last year). The sector-wise breakup of the enhanced
outlay is as under:
(Rs in crore)
|
S. No.
|
Sector/Bureau
|
BE, 2009-10
|
BE,
2010-11
|
Increase
|
1.
|
Scheduled
Castes Development
|
1900
|
3327
|
1427.
|
2.
|
Backward
Classes Development
|
245
|
500
|
255
|
3.
|
Development
and Welfare of Persons with Disabilities
|
260
|
450
|
190
|
4.
|
Social Defence
|
95
|
223
|
128
|
Total
|
2500
|
4500
|
2000
|
The enhanced allocation
of plan outlay of the Ministry for 2010-11 aimed to support the programmes being implemented for the target population
groups covering the Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, persons with
disabilities, senior citizens and victims of alcoholism and substance abuse.
The Finance Minister in his Budget Speech, 2010-11 stated, “With this
enhancement the Ministry will be able to revise the rate of scholarship under
its Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs and OBC
students, which is long overdue. The
allocation will also assist in establishing an Indian Sign Language Research
and Training Centre for the benefit of the hearing impaired. District
Disability Rehabilitation Centres are being set up in
50 additional districts along with two Composite Regional Centres
for persons with disabilities”.
Reconstitution of
National Commissions of SCs, Safai Karamcharis and OBCs
On expiry of the term of the
previous Commission in May, 2010, the the National
Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) was reconstituted with Dr. P.L. Punia as the Chairperson and Shri
Raj Kumar Verka as Vice Chairperson. The other
Members appointed during the year are: Shri Raju Parmar, Shri
M.Shivanna and Smt. Latha Priyakumar
Similarly, the National
Commission for Safai Karamcharis
(NCSK) was reconstituted on the expiry of the previous Commission in March this
year. The reconstituted Commission include Smt.Kamlaben S.Gurjar
(Chairperson), Shri K.B. Krishnamurthy, Shri Hari Ram Sood
and Shri Shyoraj Jivan.
The National Commission for Backward Classes
was also reconstituted during 2010 with the appointment of Shri Justice (Retd)
M. N. Rao as Chaireprson
and Shri S.K. Kharventham and Shri Deepak Katole as Members of
the Commission.
Revision of the Scheme of Post Matric Scholarship to the S C Students
In operation since 1944, this is the
oldest scholarship scheme in the country, and is currently benefiting about 40 lakhs SC students.
It is a means based scheme and aims to provide financial assistance to
SC students for pursuing post-matriculation courses through recognized
institutions including correspondence, distance and continuing education
courses. The scheme was last revised in April 2003 and hence its revision is
overdue. For revising the rates of scholarship under the Scheme, plan outlay
for the FY 2010-11 has been increased to Rs.1700 crore,
as against Rs.750 crore in FY 2009-10. Revision of
the Scheme is expected to be finalized very soon.
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowships
Under this Central sector scheme,
launched in 2005-06, financial assistance is provided each year for 1333
Research Fellowships to Scheduled Caste students pursuing M. Phil., Ph.D. and
equivalent courses. Number of fellowships awarded annually has been increased
from 1333 to 2000 w.e.f. 2010-11.
National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for SC etc
Candidates
National Overseas Scholarship provides assistance to selected
Scheduled Caste students etc for pursuing higher studies of Master level
courses and PhD programmes abroad in specified
courses. The subjects for which
this scholarship can
be availed were earlier limited to advanced Engineering subjects. This list has been expanded this year to
include the disciplines Medicine, Pure Sciences, Agricultural Sciences and Management.
Scheduled
Castes Sub Plan (SCSP)
Special
Component Plan (SCP) for Scheduled Castes, now renamed
as Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) was introduced in 1979-80 to channelize the
flow of benefits and outlays from the general sectors in the plan of the States
and Central Ministries for the development of Scheduled Castes. The Broad
Objectives of SCSP include substantial reduction in poverty and unemployment of
SCs; creation of productive assets in favor of SCs; Human resource development
of the SCs by providing adequate educational and health services and for making
provision of physical security against all types of exploitation and
oppression.
Guidelines
on formulation, implementation and monitoring of SCSP have been issued by the
Planning Commission from time to time. Consolidated guidelines in this regard
were last issued to 62 Central Ministries/Departments in December, 2006, for
the implementation from the Annual Plan, 2007-08. However, the implementation
of the above guidelines by Central Ministries/ Departments had not been
satisfactory.
To rectify the above situation, the
Ministry of SJ&E had conveyed certain concrete suggestions to the Planning
Commission. Pursuant to this, the Planning Commission, constituted a Task
Force under the chairmanship of Dr. Narendra Jadhav, Member with Secretaries of Ministries of SJ&E
and Tribal Affairs and Principal Secretaries of four States to re-examine and
revise the extant Guidelines for implementation of Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan and
Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) by Central Ministries and State Governments.
The Task Force, submitted its First
Report, covering Central Ministries/ Departments in November this year. The
recommendations of the Task Force have been accepted by the Planning Commission
and accordingly it has issued a circular on 15th of this month to
the Central Ministries/Departments for preparation of their SCSP and TSP Plans for 2011-12, according to a
rationalized system.
Progress Under Pradhan
Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)
The Finance Minister had
announced introduction of a new Centrally sponsored Pilot Scheme of “Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)” in
1000 SC-majority villages of the country in his budget speech 2009-10, and
Rs.100 crore had been provided for the purpose. The
scheme was approved on 13.3.2010 and its guidelines were circulated to the
concerned five States (and Central Ministries) on 16.3.2010. Under the first phase of the pilot Scheme,
integrated development of 1000 SC-majority villages located in five States
U.P., Bihar, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu (225 villages each) and Assam (100 villages)
is to be achieved - primarily through convergent implementation of all relevant
Central and State schemes. To the extent needs of the identified villages
cannot be met through convergence, they
are to be met through ‘gap-filling’ funds for which Central assistance is
to be provided @ Rs.10.0 lakh per village with State Governments expected to
contribute a matching share.
While selecting States for the first 1000
villages, one State each was chosen from the five regions. In the case of four
regions viz. North, South, West and North East, the State with the highest
number of SC-majority villages was chosen.
So far, based on complete proposals
received from Bihar, Rajasthan, Assam and Tamil Nadu, full admissible
amount of Central assistance under the scheme has been released to these
States. A total sum of Rs. 78.30 crore has already
been released to develop 225 SC majority villages in the States of Bihar,
Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu and 100 such villages in Assam under the pilot scheme.
Implementation of the Protection of
Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
In furtherance of Article 17
of the Constitution by which untouchability was
abolished and its practice in any form forbidden, the Protection of Civil
Rights Act, 1955, was enacted in order to enforce the Constitutional
provisions. The provisions of the Act extend to the whole of India.
With a view to ensure
their effective implementation, central assistance is provided to
States/UTs under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for several purposes like setting
up and strengthening of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Protection Cell
and Special Police Stations, setting up and functioning of exclusive Special
Courts, relief and rehabilitation of atrocity victims, cash incentive for
Inter-caste marriages and awareness generation.
During
2010-2011, Central assistance of Rs. 57.5 crore has
been so far released (up to 15.12.10) against an allocation of Rs.59.0 crore.
In accordance with Section 14 of the
Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989,
the State Government, for the purpose of providing for speedy trial, with the
concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court, by notification in the
official Gazette, specifies for each district, a Court of Session to be Special
Court to try the offences under the Act.
Concerned States have designated District Session Courts as Special
Courts. However, for ensuring speedy trial of atrocity cases, nine States have
reported that they have set up 177 exclusive Special Courts as under:-
S. No.
|
State
|
Total Number of Districts
|
Number of Exclusive Special Court in District
|
1.
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
23
|
23
|
2.
|
Bihar
|
38
|
11
|
3
|
Chhattisgarh
|
20
|
06
|
4.
|
Gujarat
|
25
|
19
|
5.
|
Karnataka
|
28
|
08
|
6.
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
50
|
49
|
7.
|
Rajasthan
|
32
|
17
|
8.
|
Tamil Nadu
|
31
|
04
|
9.
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
70
|
40
|
|
Total
|
317
|
177
|
Three State Governments (Bihar -09, Madhya Pradesh 48 and
Chhattisgarh-12) have set up Special Police Stations for registration of
offences committed against SCs and STs.
Legislation for protection and welfare of Sanitation
and Leather Workers
Sanitation and leather workers have
to work in adverse conditions. These workers do not get a safe and healthy working
environment. Nature of their work is
such that they need to take adequate safety measures to protect themselves from
the unhygienic and hazardous working conditions. News of death of sewer workers while clearing
blocked sewer lines and manholes is common. Sanitation workers lifting garbage
get various diseases. While some sanitation workers die of asphyxiation in
manholes, many die of respiratory and neurological diseases. Those who suffer
from illness due to conditions in the workplace are given any statutory
monetary or other help by their employers. In most cities, civic authorities
have handed over the cleaning of sewers to contractors. Contractors do not
provide them even the minimum protective gear. Health care, proper
remuneration, compensation and good & safe working conditions of sanitation
workers are being neglected by their employers, in the absence of any binding
legal framework.
Keeping in view the above, the
Ministry of SJ&E took up the matter of enacting a comprehensive legislation
with the Ministry of Labour and Employment, to
regulate the working conditions of sanitation and leather workers, and also to
provide welfare measures for them as a distinct group, as already in place for
several other category of workers like Building and Other Construction Workers,
Beedi and Cigar Workers, Cine Workers, Plantation
Workers etc. As a result, the Ministry
of Labour and Employment has constituted a Working
Group for Sanitation and Leather Workers to look into the issue of framing a legislation for certain matters relating to Sanitation
Workers and Leather Workers. So far three meetings of the Working Group have
been held during the year.
Amendments to the Central Lists of Backward Classes
Based on the advice received from
the NCBC, the addition/modification in the
Central Lists of OBCs in respect of States as detailed below has been notified
as per the Resolution dated 18-08-2010.
Name of the State
|
No. of New Entries
|
Number of Modified Entries
|
Chhattisgarh
|
64
|
-
|
Jharkhand
|
119
|
-
|
Haryana
|
2
|
3
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
-
|
7
|
Karnataka
|
-
|
13+1*
|
Rajasthan
|
-
|
1*
|
Daman & Diu
|
24
|
1
|
Total
|
209
|
26
|
* correction in spelling
|
|
|
It is noteworthy that Central lists
of OBCs for the States of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand,
have been notified for the first time, as above.
Revision of Post Matric
Scholarship Scheme for OBC students
This scheme has been in operation
since 1998-99. Under it scholarship is paid to students whose
parent’s/guardian’s income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 44,500/- per
annum. An estimated about 15 lakh students are
benefited under the Scheme.
During 2010-11, an enhanced budget
allocation of Rs.350 crore, as compared to BE of Rs
135 crore in the previous year 2009-10 has been made
to meet the additional financial implications arising from its revision.
Revision of the Scheme is expected to be effected shortly.
Commission for Economically Backward
Classes
A
commission for Economically Backward Classes had been constituted by the
Central Government with the following terms of reference:-
(a) to elicit the view of State Governments/UTs and other
Commissions on the subject;
(b) to suggest criteria for identification for economically
backward classes;
(c) to recommend welfare measures and quantum of reservation in
education and Government employment to the extent as appropriate;
(d) to suggest the necessary constitutional, legal and
administrative modalities as required for implementation of the
recommendations.
The Commission submitted its Report in
July, 2010,which is under examination.
Disability
Launching of Accessible Website of the Ministry
A redesigned
accessible website of the Ministry (www.socialjustice.nic.in) in
the beginning of this year. This
Ministry thus
became the first among the Central Ministries to have re-designed its website
making it accessible to persons with disabilities. The Ministry, has, also
instituted a new category of National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons
with Disabilities, under which three awards- one each for Government, Public
and Private Sector websites – will be given each year for websites with the
best “accessibility” features. In 2010, one
Government and one Semi-Government website have already been given the award
Committee to Draft New Legislation
for Persons with Disabilities
The Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act, 1995, has now been in force for 15 years. Keeping
in view the experience of its working over this period, and the need to
harmonize its provisions with those of the United Nations Convention on the
Rights for Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 2008, extensive consultation
with various stakeholders had been carried out.
The Ministry had constituted a
Committee to study the suggestions and comments received on the amendments and
to draft a new legislation for persons with disabilities, under the
Chairmanship of Dr. Sudha Kaul,
Vice Chairperson,
Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy, Kolkata. The Committee comprises experts
and representatives of various stakeholders including State Governments, Union
Ministries, Civil Society Organizations working in the disability sector,
Government organizations in the field of disabilities etc.
The Committee has so far held six
meetings. The term of the Committee has been extended up to 31st
March, 2011.
Procedure simplified for Issue of Disability
Certificates
Disability
Certificate is an essential document for the Persons with Disabilities to avail
benefits under various schemes and concessions from the Government. Disability
Certificates are issued by three-member Medical Boards constituted at the
District level, involving a cumbersome and time consuming procedure making
access to the certificates difficult. Only, about 35% of persons with
disabilities had been issued disability certificates as in October, 2010.
The
Central Government amended the (Central) Persons with Disabilities (Equal
Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Rules last year. The
amended Rules enable simplified and decentralized procedure for issuance of
Disability Certificate. The amended
Rules replace "Medical Board" by "Medical Authorities", to
be notified by the appropriate government. The disability certificate is to be
issued as far as possible, within seven days from the date of receipt of
application but in any case not later than one month.
Guidelines
were issued to State Governments in February, 2010 to effect suitable changes
in their Rules and notify the Medical Authority. In the guidelines, multi-tier medical
authorities have been suggested so that in respect of obvious disabilities, the
disability certificate can be issued at the level of Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres
(CHCs), and Hospitals at the Sub-Divisional level, in case of non-obvious
single disabilities, certificates can be issued by a single specialist and only
in case of multiple disabilities, a multi member board would be required to
issue the certificate. In addition, provisions have been made for taking
services of non-government specialists and testing facilities in case these are
not available in government hospitals.
Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare have since issued notification for medical
authorities for Central Government Hospitals/Institutes for issuing disability
certificates for various kind of disabilities. So far
the States of Bihar, Goa and Gujarat have issued notification appointing medical authorities and
simplifying procedure. Ministry of SJ & E is pursuing the matter with the
remaining State Governments.
Establishment of New District Disability
Rehabilitation Centres (DDRCs) and Composite Regional
Centres
DDRCs
To create
infrastructure and capacity building at district level for providing
rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities, awareness generation, training
rehabilitation professionals, etc. the Ministry provides assistance for setting
up District Disability Rehabilitation Centres (DDRCs)
in un-served and under-served districts of the country. At present, 199 DDRCs
have been sanctioned, of which, 179 DDRCs are reportedly functional. The
Finance Minister, in his Budget Speech 2010-11, had announced setting up of
DDRCs in 50 additional districts, and two Composite Regional Centres (CRCs), during 2009-10. In pursuance of this, 100 unserved districts were identified for setting up new
DDRCs, and the concerned State Governments have been requested in June, 2010,
to send proposals for setting up new DDRCs.
As on 25.12.2010, sanctions have been issued for 14 new DDRCs in four
States of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Tripura.
Composite Regional Centres
To provide comprehensive
rehabilitation services for all persons with disabilities and impart training
under one roof, six Composite Regional Centres (CRCs)
for the Persons with Disabilities were established at Bhopal, Lucknow, Guwahati,
Srinagar, Sundernagar
(H.P.) and Patna as these regions lacked institutional
infrastructure.
The Ministry decided to establish
two more CRCs in the States of Kerala and Gujarat respectively. The Governments of
Kerala and Gujarat have agreed to provide land and
accommodation to set up the centers respectively at Kozhikode and Ahmadabad. The new CRCs are likely to be
sanctioned by the end of the current financial year.
National Centre for Universal Design and Barrier-free
Environment (NCUDBE)
The Eleventh Five Year Plan document
envisages establishment of a National Centre for Universal Design and
Barrier-free Environment (NCUDBE). The
Ministry has set up a Task Force, under the Chairmanship of the DG, CSIR, in
September this year to work out details of the proposed NCUDBE.
Social
Defence
Status of implementation of the Maintenance and
Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007
The Maintenance and
Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 was enacted by Parliament in
December 2007. The Act comes into force in a State upon notification by
individual State Government. The Act is not applicable to the State of Jammu
& Kashmir. Himachal Pradesh has its
own Act. Of the remaining 26 States, the
Act has been notified by 22 States and all UTs. UP, Bihar, Meghalaya and Sikkim are yet to notify the Act. For
effective implementation of the Act, States which notify the Act are required
to frame rules, appoint Maintenance Officer, constitute maintenance tribunal and
constitute Appellate Tribunal
Ten States (viz.
Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa,
Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and West Bengal) have taken all the above
steps. The matter is being pursued with
the rest.
Review of the National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP)
The NPOP was announced in January 1999 which
envisages State support to ensure financial and food security, health care,
shelter and other needs of older persons, equitable share in development,
protection against abuse and exploitation, and availability of services to
improve the quality of their lives.
Ten years have passed since the announcement of the
Policy. Keeping in view the changing demography in the country, the Ministry
has constituted a Committee in January 2010 to assess the present status of
various issues concerning senior citizens, in general, and implementation of
National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP), 1999 and draft a new National Policy
on Older Persons in particular.
The Review Committee has so far held six meetings and
five regional meetings at Chandigarh, Chennai, Mumbai, Guwahati and Bhubaneswar. The Review Committee is expected
to submit its recommendation by March, 2011.
Drafting of a National Policy on Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance
Abuse and Rehabilitation of its Victims
A National
Consultative Committee on De-addiction and Rehabilitation (NCCDR) was set up in
July 2008 to advise Central and State Governments on issues connected with drug
demand reduction, especially education/awareness building, de-addiction and
rehabilitation.
A
Sub-Committee was constituted last year to draft a National Policy on Prevention of Alcoholism and
Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation of its Victims, and putting up for the consideration of the NCCDR. The Second meeting of the NCCDR was held this
year wherein the draft National Policy prepared by the Sub-Committee was
discussed. Further action is being taken on the suggestions received in the
meeting.
National Survey on Drug Abuse
The National Sample Survey
Organization (NSSO) was requested by the Ministry to undertake a National
Survey on the extent, pattern and trends of drug abuse in the country. A pilot survey in the States of Punjab and
Manipur and the Metro of Mumbai has been conducted by NSSO. The report of this pilot survey is expected
soon. A full-fledged survey at the national level will be conducted based on
the experience of the pilot.
Beggary
The
Ministry held a
National Consultation Meeting
with 20 State Governments, the
Govt. of NCT of Delhi, civil society representatives, and experts on 1st
July, 2010, at New Delhi, under the Chairpersonship of Minister, SJ&E, on
the problem of beggary and the multi-pronged strategy required to address it.
Further action is being taken in the light of suggestions received in the
meeting.
National-Level Finance & Development Corporations
Concessional Loans by National Finance and
Development Corporations
Concessional loans
amounting to Rs.229.30 crore were
provided to about 1 lakh beneficiaries
belonging to the Ministry’s target groups during the first six months of the
current financial year, as compared to Rs.199.07 crore
to 97,575 beneficiaries during the corresponding period of the previous
financial year, through the four national-level Finance and Development
Corporations of this Ministry (viz. the National Scheduled Castes Finance &
Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC),
National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC), and
National Handicapped Finance & Development Corporation (NHFDC)]. Corporation-wise details upto
the end of the second quarter of 2010-11 are as follows:
Corpo-
ration
|
Amount of Loan disbursed
(in crore Rs)
|
No. of
Beneficiaries
|
Term
Loan
|
Micro
Finance
|
Others
|
Total
|
Term
Loan
|
Micro
Finance
|
Others
|
Total
|
NSFDC
|
74.79
|
38.55
|
-
|
113.34
|
9192
|
20212
|
915
|
30319
|
NSKFDC
|
12.96
|
3.85
|
13.96
|
30.77
|
1139
|
1729
|
5862
|
8730
|
NBCFDC
|
43.07
|
33.20
|
-
|
76.27
|
19977
|
39234
|
0
|
59211
|
NHFDC
|
6.85
|
2.15
|
0.01
|
9.01
|
798
|
1070
|
1
|
1869
|
Total
|
137.67
|
77.75
|
13.97
|
229.39
|
31106
|
62245
|
6778
|
1,00,129
|
SCOPE Meritorious Award to NBCFDC
National Backward Classes Finance
& Development Corporation was awarded the "SCOPE Meritorious
Award" for the best managed Public Sector Enterprise for the year
2008-09. The award was presented by the
President of India on 10th April, 2010, during the 1st Public Sector Day
function.
Shilpotsav
The Ministry has been organizing,
since 2007, an annual Exhibition-cum-Sale, called “Shilpotsav”,
of the products of the beneficiaries of its Apex Finance and Development
Corporations and other organizations, at Dilli Haat, New Delhi. The
fourth annual “Shilpotsav”, which was held
from 16th to 28th October this year, witnessed over 200
beneficiaries from all over the country the sales worth Rs.1.2 crore, as against of Rs 80 lakh
last year.
National Trust
The
National Trust, an autonomous body under this Ministry, has launched a Group
Life Insurance Scheme for Parents/Guardians of Persons with Autism, Cerebral
Palsy, Mental Retardation & Multiple Disabilities,
named “Asmita” on 29th
July, 2010. The scheme aims to ensure financial security
and life-long institutional safeguards for persons with the above-mentioned
disabilities, after the death of their parents/guardians.
Badhte Kadam –
Mobile Disability Awareness Expedition
National Trust has organized a
disability awareness expedition Badhte Kadam from 16th to 30th Nov’10. On 16th Nov’10. Awareness meeting and mass contact programmes were organized with the help of Local National
Trust Registered NGOs.
Certificate of Registration of
Design to a motorized wheelchair developed by ALIMCO
The Controller General of Patents,
Design and Trade Marks has granted Certificate of Registration of Design on
11.5.2010 in respect of a motorized wheelchair, developed by the Artificial
Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), a Public Sector Undertaking
of the Ministry, in collaboration with the Harcourt Butler Technological
Institute, Kanpur.
VBA/