December 21, 2017
Ratna De Nag speaks on the demand for bringing down the criteria to avail disability pension
FULL TRANSCRIPT
The number of disabled persons has increased by 22.4 percent between 2001 and 2011 census. The total number of physically disabled persons was 2.19 crore in 2001 and rose to 2.68 crore in 2011 – 1.5 crore physically disabled males and 1.18 crore physically disabled females, to be precise.
You may know that disability is there in the form of hearing impairment, visual impairment and mentally challenged people. Road and traffic accidents also result in many people becoming physically disabled.
The most important point is that these disabled persons find it very difficult to obtain a certificate to avail the disability stipend which is a scheme of the Central Government. The rule says that the they should be declared 80 percent disabled to obtain the disability stipend.
We must encourage the disabled persons to lead a life of dignity and to be made a part of the mainstream, and become a part of growth and development.
Sir, through you I would like to request the hon minister to either bring down the eligibility criteria to avail the disability stipend, or relax the rules generously to ensure that these people can get the benefit of the disability stipend.
Thank you.
