The Delhi government on Wednesday launched the Sugamaya Sahayak scheme to give assistive devices to persons with 40 per cent disabilities.
The government has signed a ALIMCO, a Public Sector Undertaking , for a period of five years, in this regard.
Under the Sugamaya Sahayak scheme which was notified recently, the eligible persons with benchmark disabilities will receive a range of assistive devices such as artificial limbs, tricycle, motorized tricycle, wheelchair, BTE (behind the ear) hearing aids, crutch axilla adjustable, Braille cane, MSIED Kit, Braille kit, smartphone for visually handicapped, smart cane, and ADL (assistance to daily living) kit for leprosy patients, and other available devices.
According to Section 2(r) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, a “person with benchmark disability” means a person with not less than 40 percent of a specified disability, as certified by the certifying authority.
Delhi Social Welfare minister Raaj Kumar Anand said ALIMCO will serve as the supplying agency responsible for conducting assessment of persons with benchmark disabilities and providing customized assistive devices to them.
To be eligible for participation in the Sugamaya Sahayak scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria: the applicant must be a person with benchmark disability (40 per cent or more disability) as per Disability Certificate/UDID Card; must be resident of NCT of Delhi; the annual income limit of the family from all sources should not be more than Rs 8,00,000; and must possess Aadhaar Card.
Persons with benchmark disabilities residing in Delhi are encouraged to apply at the Department of Social Welfare, ensuring they meet the specified eligibility criteria.