Gitarattan International Business School

Sociology
BA LLB 02
L-37
Date of releasing: 02/04/2020
Date of submission: 03/04/2020 (8 AM)

MARGINALIZED PERSONS IN SOCIETY AND THEIR WELFARE SHCEME

WELFARE OF PHYSICALLY DISABLED IN INDIA
Government Initiatives for Welfare of Physically Disabled in India. India is the largest
democratic country in the world and is on its way to become a key player in the global
scenario. It is our responsibility to ensure that this developmental cycle touches all the
citizens of this country – the able and, especially, the disabled, who are often referred to as
the invisible minority. But before we stamp them as minority, let us consider the recent
census reports. According to the 2001 census the government figure for the physically
handicapped was 2.1% of the entire population. A reserved guess would place that figure
between seven to ten crores.
The National Policy identifies the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) as necessary and valuable
assets of this country and the basic goal is to create an atmosphere for them in conjunction
with the basic constitutional rights i.e. equality, freedom, justice and dignity. This will also
guarantee equal opportunities for the PWD thereby ensuring the protection of their rights and
enabling their full participation in the society.
The primary objectives of the National Policy are:
1. Physical rehabilitation which includes medical treatment, counselling, providing aids and
appliances.
2. Educational Rehabilitation which offers vocational and on-hand training.
3. Economic Rehabilitation ensuring a better and dignified life in society.
India implemented the CRPD (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) act in
2008 which was enhanced by the National Center for promotion of Employment of Disabled
People (NCPEDP) and Disabled Rights Group (DRG).
The Government has envisaged a number of schemes to promote the standard of life of the
PWD in general.
Some of these schemes are:
1. Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/ Appliances (ADIP) involving
physical rehabilitation of the PWD by providing them with aids and appliances
2. Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) a multi-faceted scheme that
addressing
all the possible aspects of rehabilitation.
3. Scheme for Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act aimed at providing funds for
projects involving construction of public buildings, support the regional institutions that
provide
service to the PWD and creating awareness.
Some of the steps taken by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Health and
Family Welfare in India are:
1. District Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) Project started in 1985.
2. Four Regional Rehabilitation Training Centres (RRTC) operative in Mumbai, Chennai,
Cuttack and Lucknow under the supervision of the DRCs since 1985.
3. National Information Centre on Disability and Rehabilitation.
4. National council for Handicapped Welfare.
5. National Level Institutes- NIMH, NIHH, NIVH, NIOH and IPH
6. The adoption of the National Policy for PWD in 2005 (discussed before).
It is evident that the government is sincerely putting in effort for the life enrichment of the
PWD.
But we, the able-bodied also have a certain duty towards the physically handicapped and the
disabled other than reserving a seat for them in one corner of public vehicles.
To conclude as Leo F. Buscaglia once quoted, “Too often we underestimate the power of a
touch, a smile, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of
which
have the potential to turn a life around”

Elderly population in India and welfare measures for them

The demography of the country exerts several development and welfare implications. Greater
the
proportion of young persons in the population of a country, larger is the workforce, and thus,
more is the economic potential.
But changes in demographic composition characterized by rising share and size of elderly
population is appearing in India. The share of elderly is increasing steadily though it remains
much lower compared to international situations.
As per the Population Census 2011, there are nearly 104 million elderly persons (aged 60
years
or above) in the country; comprising of 53 million females and 51 million males.
Rising share of the elderly population
The census trends show that both the share and size of elderly population is increasing over
time.
It was just 5.6% of the total population in 1961 and reached 8.6% in 2011. Share of elderly
among males is marginally lower at 8.2%, compared to females 9.0%. Regarding the rural-
urban
distribution, 71% of elderly population lives in rural areas while 29 % in urban areas.
Increasing old-age dependency ratio
Along with the rising old age population, the old-age dependency ratio increased from 10.9%
in
1961 to 14.2% in 2011 for all India.
Growth of the elderly population is due to the longevity of life due to economic well-being
better medical facilities and reduction in fertility rates. Changing demographic profile
featured
by the rise in the number of elderly people has thrown many new challenges in the social,
economic and political domains.
Government initiatives to support the elderly
Over the last one decade, the government has enhanced social security spending for the
elderly.
Several programs were launched by various Ministries in association with stage governments.
Following are the important initiatives.
• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has been designated as the nodal Ministry
for
the welfare of senior citizens.
• The Ageing Division in the Social Defence Bureau of the Department of Social Justice and
Empowerment develops and implements programmes and policies for the senior citizens in
collaboration with State Governments, Non- Governmental Organizations PRIs and civil
society.
• An “Integrated Programme for Older Persons” (IPOP) was launched in 1992, and was
revised
in 2008 and 2015 with new innovative projects for the welfare of Senior Citizens. Several
initiatives including the creation of Old Age Homes, awareness initiatives etc. were made as
part
of the programme.
• A National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) was announced in January 1999 to ensure the
well-being of the older persons.
• The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act was enacted in December
2007. Following are the main features of the Act.
i. Maintenance of Parents/ senior citizens by children/ relatives made obligatory
and justiciable through Tribunals
ii. Revocation of transfer of property by senior citizens in case of negligence
by relatives
iii. Penal provision for abandonment of senior citizens
iv. Establishment of Old Age Homes for Indigent Senior Citizens
v. Protection of life and property of senior citizens
vi. Adequate medical facilities for Senior Citizens
• National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSrC) was established in 2012.
Welfare schemes for the elderly
Central ministries and state governments are implementing various welfare schemes for the
elder
people.
Elderly pension under NSAP: Under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme
(IGNOAPS) by Ministry of Rural Development, Central assistance is given towards pension
at
Rs. 200/- per month to persons above 60 years and at Rs. 500/- per month to persons above
80
years belonging to a household below poverty line, which is meant to be supplemented by at
least an equal contribution by the States.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has implemented the National Programme for the
Health
Care for the Elderly (NPHCE) from the year 2010-11. The Programme provides preventive,
curative and rehabilitative services to the elderly persons at various level of health care
delivery
system of the country. It also establishes geriatric department in all the existing 8 Regional
Geriatrics Centres. The Ministry also strengthened healthcare facilities for elderly at various
levels of 100 identified districts in 21 States of the country.
Ministry of Finance: The Ministry has allowed health insurance programmes up to the age of
65
years.
Several tax incentives for senior citizens and very senior citizens were provided by the
Ministry
of Finance. These include Higher income tax exemption for both senior citizens and very
senior
citizens.
Deductions under Section 80DD: Higher interest payments for Senior Citizen Saving
Schemes.
Deduction for medical treatment of a dependent senior citizen suffering from specified
diseases.
Ministry of Home Affairs: Chapter V of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior
Citizens Act, 2007 provides for protection of life and property of senior citizens.
Ministry of Railways and Civil Aviation fare concessions for senior citizens.

Assignment: What are the steps taken by the government for the upliftment of physically
disabled and elderly people? Explain
Guidelines:
(a) Writing the assignments should help you to end up with an in-depth understanding of the
topic/concept.
(b) The study material given to you will be helpful for writing the assignment.
(c) Make sure that it is presented in logical way and has clear connection with the
question/problem presented.
(d) Do not copy from the assignments of other candidates. If copying is noticed, the
assignments of candidates who has copied as well as who has written originally both will be
rejected.
(e) Write each assignment separately for each course.
(g) Clearly mention your name, enrolment no., Programme name, Class, Course (subject)
name
and Date at the top of first page.
(h) The assignment is to be submitted at ashmita.chandela@gitarattan.edu.in latest by 8am on
03/04/2020.