Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities organized the 2nd regional conference at Nehru Centre, Mumbai, on a scheme titled ‘Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)’.

Key Points:
i. The conference consisted of Programme Implementing Agencies (PIAs) from the Western Region of the country which further would culminate in a National Conference in New Delhi.
ii. The Regional Conference was organized in order to disseminate the provisions of the revised scheme (2018) and to create better linkages between the department,agenciesand stakeholders associated with the scheme.
iii. The western states concerned were, namely, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Goa and two Union Territories i.e., Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
About the scheme DDRS:
i. DDRS is a Central Sector Scheme of Government of India which is being implemented since 1999 for providing financial assistance to NGOs working for education and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
ii. The objective of the scheme isensuringwelfare of Divyangjan and the dignity they deserve.
iii. Under DDRS, Grant-in-Aid is released to about 600 NGOs every year.
iv. About 10% of total NGOs under DDRS, 10% oftotal grant and 10% of Special School for Children with Intellectual Disabilities are from Western Indian States
v.Currently in 2018, it was revised and the revised scheme is being implemented since 1st April 2018.
vi. In the revised scheme, the following changes were made:
                        • increase in the cost norms by 2.5 times,
                        • streamlining the procedure of application,
                        • increasing the funding of projects from 75% to 90% of their total cost,
                        • extending special benefits to special areas such as Left Wing Affected Districts,
                        • removal of limitin increase of number of beneficiaries.