Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 28
Only four states in India, including Nagaland do not provide any additional “top-up over & above central assistance” under the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), according to the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment data.
The other three states were Assam, Manipur and Mizoram.
As per the Ministry, under IGNDPS, central assistance of Rs 300 per month is provided to all States/Union Territories to person with disabilities (PwDs) aged 18-79 years “with severe or multiple disabilities (disability of 80% or more) and belonging to families living below poverty line as per the criteria prescribed by the Government of India.”
On reaching the age of 80 years, the beneficiaries are paid enhanced central assistance of Rs 500 per month, informed the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishanpal Gurjar in a reply to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha on July 23.
“The States/UTs are also topping-up on central assistance,” the MoS said, adding that only the aforesaid states provide no additional top-up “over & above central assistance.”
According to the data given by the Minister, Arunachal provides the highest amount over and above the central assistance at Rs 1,700, and the State was ranked first along with Goa in India.
Sikkim followed next with provision of Rs 1,500 for a cumulative total of Rs 1,800— the second highest in India along with Telangana. At overall provision of Rs 1,000, Tripura was in third in the NE region, followed by Meghalaya with Rs 500.
Meanwhile, the Minister informed that the Central Advisory Board on Disability (CAB) in its meeting held on September 9, 2019 deliberated on the issue of providing a minimal level of disability pension by States/UTs and urged them to review their pension scheme and enhance the quantum of pension to all PwDs.
“Relief to PWDs is a State subject by virtue of Entry 9 of the State list of the Constitution of India and accordingly, it is the responsibility of the State Governments to frame schemes and programmes to help PwDs live a productive and independent life,” he added.
