In an important step towards the welfare of persons with disabilities, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday announced that eligible individuals requiring high support will now receive a monthly financial assistance of ₹6,000.
According to the CM, the purpose of this scheme is to support individuals and their families who face economic and social challenges due to disability, and certain eligibility criteria have also been set for those seeking financial assistance, she added.
Providing details of the scheme, Gupta stated that on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate this scheme.
As per CM, the Delhi Cabinet had already approved the scheme in its previous meeting.
She said that persons with disabilities are an integral part of the society and have the right to live a life of dignity and self-reliance.
CM said that the government wishes to ensure that no one feels neglected or helpless because of their disability.
She further informed that this scheme, which is under the Department of Social Welfare, applies to those with at least 40 per cent disability, and are certified as having High Support Needs with a score between 60 and 100 by the District-level Assessment Board.
Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries will receive a monthly sum of Rs 6,000 directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, she added.
This financial support is intended to cover the cost of caregivers, physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychological counselling, assistive devices, and other essential support services, CM said.
As per the laid down eligibility criteria, beneficiaries must have been residents of Delhi for at least five years, and the family’s annual income should not exceed Rs 1 lakh. And Aadhaar-linked verification is mandatory.
CM added that eligible citizens with disabilities will be able to register and apply online through the e-District portal, and the application will then be processed by the District Social Welfare Officer and verified by the respective Assessment Board.
This initiative also seeks to enhance the social participation and self-reliance of persons with disabilities.
Gupta has said that the government aims to ensure that the specially abled receive the necessary support and resources to meet their essential needs.