Over a year after the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 was introduced, which increased the number of disabilities from seven to 21, the State government has announced a survey covering persons with the 21 disabilities and earmarked ₹5 crore for it.
This would be the first such survey in the State, said G.N. Nagaraj, president of the Karnataka State Disabled and Caregivers Federation. “[The survey] is one we have been demanding for a long time. We welcome it. But it should be a proper socio-economic survey done scientifically. The survey will determine the needs, living situations, and types of disabilities to help the government formulate proper schemes,” he said.
But the disability sector was expecting more. “This is a minimal thing that the government is doing... For a life with dignity, they require employment. There are so many ways for it; they can be provided sheltered employment in the Forest Department and horticulture nurseries as they can execute 80% of the work in the nurseries. The new industries announced to compete with China can also employ persons with disabilities,” said Mr. Nagaraj.
Other announcements
There were other announcements in the budget for the sector: a 20-acre campus to establish a centre for treatment and care of persons with mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, and multiple disability, and provide training for guardians and professionals, and a grant of ₹1 crore for providing scholarships to students with disabilities pursuing PhD or those studying in “prestigious” institutions abroad.
There was something for senior citizens too. The monthly pension under the present Sandhya Suraksha Project will be raised from ₹600 to ₹1,000 with effect from November 1, and this is expected to benefit 32.92 lakh persons above the age of 65. “This amount will be raised in stages in the coming five years,” said Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, adding that an additional amount of ₹660 crore would be provided for this.
