ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE

A. Public Sector Banks Under the ‘Scheme of Public Sector Banks for Orphanages, Women’s Home and Physically Handicapped persons’, the benefits of the deferential rate of interest are available to physically handicapped persons. Eligibility Physically handicapped persons are eligible to take loans under this scheme, if they satisfy the following conditions: - Should be pursuing a gainful occupation - Family income from all sources should not exceed Rs.7200/ p.a. in urban or semiurban areas or Rs. 6400/ p.a. in rural areas - Should not have a land holding exceeding 1 acre if irrigated and 25 acres if unirrigated - Should not incur liability to two sources of finance at the same time - Should work largely on their own and with such help as from another family member or a joint partner(s); and should not employ paid employees on a regular basis. B. Subsidy To Disabled Under Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) This scheme was launched in 1999 with an aim to lift the poor families above the poverty line by providing them income generating assets through a mix of bank credit and government subsidy. The list of BPL (below poverty line) households, identified through BPL census, duly approved by the Gram Sabha forms the basis for assistance to families under SGSY. This scheme covers all aspects of self- employment, which include organization of the rural poor in to self- help groups (SHG), training, planning of activity clusters, infrastructure build up, technology and marketing support. In the case of disabled persons, a SHG may consist of a minimum of 5 persons belonging to the families below poverty line. Three percent quota is earmarked for the disabled persons under the SGSY. The subsidy limit under the scheme is Rs. 7500/- (30% subsidy)for an individual and Rs. 1.25 lakh for a group(50% subsidy). This scheme is being implemented by the District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) along with the involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions, the banks, and the non- government organizations. C. Financial Assistance Available To Persons With Disablities The National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) has been incorporated by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India on 24th January 1997 under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 as a company not for profit. It runs several schemes to financially assist the disable persons who are eligible for this purpose. Eligibility · Any Indian citizen with a 40% or more disability. · Age between 18 and 55 years. · Annual Income below Rs.60,000/- per annum for urban areas and Rs.55,000/- p.a. for rural areas. · A cooperative society of disabled persons. · A legally constituted association of disabled persons. · A firm promoted by disabled persons. · Each member of society/association/firm applying for loan should fulfil the disability, age and income criteria. · Relevant background of educational / technical / vocational qualification or experience, to ensure an appropriate usage of the assistance.