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Schemes & Programmes of
Social Welfare Division

Welfare of the Persons with Disabilities          

             The disabled persons are the most vulnerable group of our society. The existing schemes have limited scope for rehabilitation and integration of the disabled persons in our society. The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995 has been enforced and is being implemented in the State. As per the Act, there are four categories of disabilities viz. Locomotive, Visual, Mental and Hearing impaired. Certain schemes are being implemented by the Social Welfare Department for providing equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in the society.

Scholarship/Stipend                              

            Scholarship of Rs. 50/-, Rs. 60/-, Rs. 85/- per month respectively is being given to disabled children studying in different Government Schools within Sikkim. Stipend is also given to disabled students studying in Special Schools outside Sikkim @ Rs.300/- p.m. and Rs. 500/- uniform allowance per year and for those going for higher studies within and outside the State @ Rs.800/- p.m.  

District Disability Rehabilitation Centre- Free distribution of Aids and Appliances

Free Distribution of Wheel Chair

             District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC) has been established in S.T.N.M hospital complex in collaboration with AYJNIHH-Mumbai. Free aids/appliances are provided to the disabled persons along with treatment and counseling in this Centre. 

DDRC's Phone No.229201

Free Disability Camps for the Disabled 

            The Social Welfare Department organizes free camps for the disabled on a regular basis in collaboration with different National Institutes of the country. Till 2003-2004 camps were organized as per the details given below: -

Comprehensive Rehabilitation Camp for the person's with Locomotor Disability, Gangtok

Sheltered Workshop for the disabled persons 

                The Department runs a Sheltered Workshop for disabled persons at Jorethang wherein they are trained in cane and bamboo weaving for two years. There after they are engaged in the production centre on M.R.wages. The Department is trying for diversification of training progrmmes in this centre.

 Subsistence Allowance 

                800 persons with disabilities are being provided with Subsistence Allowance @ of Rs. 200/- p.m. per beneficiary. 

Special School for the Deaf 
 

                A Special School for the deaf is being established at Sichey Busty, Gangtok from April 2004. 

Issue of Disability Identity Card 

             Persons with disabilities are being issued disability identity cards from the Social Welfare Department after the Medical Board has certified the degree and type of disability of the person.

 Unemployment Allowance to Educated Disabled 
                As per the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, the Department proposes to start a new scheme wherein disabled educated persons will be given an unemployment allowance of Rs. 200/- p.m. for a period of 2 years or till they are employed whichever is earlier. 

Welfare of Aged, Infirm and Destitute Homes 

          The Department runs one destitute home and gives financial assistance to 5 NGOs to run destitute homes, where accommodation, education and general welfare for the destitute children is provided. Maintenance grant has been enhanced from Rs. 270/- p.m per child to Rs. 450/- p.m.per child for NGO run homes and Rs. 300/-p.m per child to Rs. 500/- p.m.per child for Department run homes w.e.f April 2000.

Old Age Pension 

                In keeping with the policies of the government, the Social Welfare Division of Social Welfare Department implements various schemes and programmes for the welfare of the disabled, old and needy persons and the marginalized and disadvantaged section of our society. The old age pension is being provided to 13204 old and needy persons. The State Government has increased the monthly old age pension from Rs.100/- p.m to Rs. 200/- p.m. w.e.f 1.10.2000. From 2002-03, the National Old Age Pension Scheme under NSAP has transferred to State Plan. 

Correctional Services 

                As per the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000, the Department runs a Juvenile Observation Home at Gangtok for delinquent juveniles (boys), where delinquent juveniles are cared for, given protection and rehabilitated and integrated back into the society after they are reformed. 

Assistance to Voluntary Organizations  

                The Social Welfare Department cannot implement all welfare schemes by itself. Therefore Non Voluntary Organizations are encouraged to implement some of these schemes by way of giving grant in aid to the NGOs. Some of the schemes being implemented by NGOs are as follows:- 

1.             Running of Destitute Homes

2.             Welfare and Rehabilitation of Alcoholics and Drug
                addicts.

3.             Running of Special Schools for the disabled children

Miss Aloka Guha visiting the Spastic Society of Sikkim

Free distribution of foot drop splint

Artificial limb fitted during Locomotor Disabilty

Free Distribution of Hearing Aid

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