National Resource Kit: The Assam Chapter (Call for Comments)

Executive Summary

The Directorate of Social Welfare and the State Commissioner for Disabilities have been set up in Assam. The Government of Assam has not created any state-specific legislations.

A pilot project by the Central Government has been implemented for creation of awareness on prevention and early detection and intervention of various types of disabilities. The pilot project has been taken up in 13 districts of Assam and is currently under implementation.[1]

The first-ever baseline survey on disabled women, conducted by the Association of Women with Disabilities (AWWD) showed that a  mere 5% of the disabled women in Assam are aware of the Persons with the Disabilities Act, 1995 and that 14.9% of the women were aware of government schemes and policies related to women and the disabled.[2]

The Assessment of Employment Needs of Persons with Disabilities, a study conducted by the Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) was a study conducted in two districts of Assam. The study found that 83% of persons with disabilities are unemployed.[3]

Quick Statistics

• Capital: Dispur
• Population:  3, 11, 69,272 (Census 2011)
• Number of persons with disabilities: 530,300 (Census 2001) however CBR Network claims that there is a disparity and the figure is 17, 79,968 (2006)
• Literacy: 72.19%
• HDI: 32.1 (1999-2008)

Aids and Appliances

The only scheme for aids and appliances in Assam is the ADIP scheme of the central government. There are no schemes introduced by the state government.

Assistance to Disabled Person Scheme (ADIP): The main objective of this Scheme is to assist persons with disabilities in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation, by reducing the effects of disabilities and enhancing their economic potential. The quantum of assistance and income limit under the ADIP scheme is as follows:

The scheme is implemented through implementing agencies such as the NGOs, National Institutes under this Ministry and ALIMCO (a PSU).

Education

1. Scholarship/ Stipend to Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who are pursuing studies in the special institutions of the Department or institutions run by N.G.O's and also general schools and colleges, are offered stipend @ Rs.200/- p.m. each.
2. 3% seats are reserved for students with disabilities in the MBBS Course in Assam
3. The State Government awards scholarship to disabled persons from Class I to Class VIII.

Employment

• Scholarship/ Stipend to Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who are pursuing studies in the special institutions of the Department or institutions run by N.G.O's and also general schools and colleges, are offered stipend @ Rs.200/- p.m. each. [4]
• 3% seats are reserved for students with disabilities in the MBBS Course in Assam
• The State Government awards scholarship to disabled persons from Class I to Class VIII.

Employment

1. Reservation in Government jobs: In Group "C" and "D" posts under the Government, reservations are provided in direct recruitment for physically handicapped persons as indicated below. There is no reservation under Group A and B identified by the Government of Assam:
   Category of Disability    Percentage of reservation
   (i) Visually handicapped     1%
   (ii)Orthopedically handicapped     1%
   (iii) Hearing handicapped     1%
2. Unemployment Allowances: The following allowances are provided for unemployed persons with disabilities:
   (i) Persons with disabilities who are registered in the employment exchange get unemployment allowance @ Rs.50/-p.m.
   (ii) The Department of Social welfare has introduced a scheme in 2009 to give unemployment allowances to families that have children with disabilities.[5]
3. Persons with disabilities also get assistance for self employment.

Health and Rehabilitation

1. The Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation Scheme (DPMR):   This scheme was implemented by the Govt of Assam for:
   (i)  Procurement of foot wear, splint and appliances for needy patients.
   (ii) Welfare allowances for patients from BPL families and reimbursement to Govt. Hospitals will be considered. The Silchar Medical College & Hospital, Silchar and Gauhati Medical College & Hospital, Guwahati, are identified for the DPMR Scheme.
2. Scheme for implementation of Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995 (SIPDA): This is a central government scheme where central assistance is provided to State Governments, Institutions, Organisations, Autonomous Bodies and Universities for making barrier-free and accessible environment for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), which inter-alia includes provision of ramps, lifts tactile paths, adaptation of toilets for wheel chair users and Braille symbols and auditory signals. Assistance is also provided for making websites accessible to PwDs. Under this Scheme, the Assam state government established the District Disability Rehabilitation centres (“DDRC”) as an outreach activity for providing comprehensive services to the persons with disabilities at the grass root level and for facilitating creation of the infrastructure and capacity building at the district level for awareness generation, rehabilitation and training of rehabilitation professionals.

Social Protection

1. Disability Pension: Disabled persons, male 65 years and female 60 years and above get Rs.100/- p.m. as disability pension.
2. Other Concessions/facilities:
   (i)    5% reservation is provided in allotment of fair price shops.
   (ii)   Reservation of 3% beneficiaries under the Integrated Rural Development Programme Scheme.

[1]. http://socialjustice.nic.in/schemespro3.php

[2]. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110622/jsp/northeast/story_14137103.jsp

[3]. http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun2512/city07

[4]. http://socialwelfareassam.com/PDAct.asp