For specially abled persons with 60% disability in Delhi, govt proposes Rs 5,000 monthly pension

The minister also said that as per the 2011 Census, there are approximately 2.44 lakh specially abled people in Delhi.

Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, who reviewed the project on Friday, hit back, attributing the delay to the non-availability of the requisite software platform for the system due to a “U-turn” by the bureaucracy.

Social Welfare Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj Tuesday announced monthly financial assistance of Rs 5,000 for persons with over 60 per cent disability requiring special need and care in Delhi. There are around 10,000 such persons in the Capital.

The decision was passed in a recently held Cabinet meeting, said the government. “We have already instructed the department to roll this out immediately, and I believe that after this, the elected government of Delhi will be the first in the country to offer such substantial financial support to our specially abled people with high needs,” Bharadwaj said.

According to officials, the government already provides pensions to over 1.2 lakh individuals whose disability exceeds 42 per cent. Now, persons with over 60 per cent disability, as verified by medical certificates and UDID cards, will be eligible for a Rs 5,000 monthly pension.

Addressing a press conference, Bharadwaj said, as per the World Health Organisation (WHO), 15 per cent of the world’s population is dealing with some form of disability. Of this, around 2-4 per cent have such severe disabilities that they fall into the category of high special needs.

The minister also said that as per the 2011 Census, there are approximately 2.44 lakh specially abled people in Delhi.

“Based on WHO estimates, we have assessed that around 9,500 to 10,000 individuals in the city are considered to have high special needs,” he said.

“Currently, Tamil Nadu is the only state offering financial assistance to individuals with high special needs, providing Rs 1,000 per month. But this amount is insufficient… Delhi wanted to set a new standard… So, following discussions, the Cabinet yesterday decided that the Delhi government will offer Rs 5,000 per month to such individuals,” said Bharadwaj.

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He added that the government will soon open registrations. Eligible individuals will need to get a medical certificate confirming a disability of over 60 per cent. Once verified, these individuals will be entitled to receive Rs 5,000 per month in financial assistance.

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