Centre tells Rajya Sabha that multiple welfare schemes for senior citizens and persons with disabilities are being implemented across Northeast India, including 11 PM Divyasha-Vayoshri Kendras.
New Delhi, July 22: The Union government is implementing a range of welfare programmes for senior citizens and persons with disabilities across the Northeast, including Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and other states, while operating 11 dedicated Pradhan Mantri Divyasha-Vayoshri Kendras (PMDVKs) in the region to improve access to assistive services.
The information was shared by Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The reply outlined the schemes being implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment through its Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).
The ministry said welfare measures for elderly citizens are being implemented under the Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY), an umbrella programme aimed at strengthening social security and care services for older persons across the country, including the Northeastern states.
Among its key components is the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens, under which financial assistance is provided to voluntary organisations to run old-age homes, continuous care centres and other facilities offering free shelter, nutrition, medical care and recreational services to economically vulnerable senior citizens.
The scheme also includes the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens, through which the Centre provides grants to state governments for awareness campaigns, sensitisation programmes, cataract surgeries and other state-specific welfare initiatives.
The government further highlighted the Elderline national helpline (14567), which operates daily from 8 am to 8 pm to provide information, counselling, emotional support and field intervention for elderly citizens facing abuse, neglect or emergencies.
Another major component is the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), under which senior citizens from below-poverty-line families or those earning up to Rs. 15,000 per month are provided physical aids and assisted living devices to address age-related disabilities. The scheme is implemented nationwide through the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO).
The ministry also pointed to initiatives such as Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE), which encourages innovative solutions for issues affecting the elderly, and a dedicated programme for training professional geriatric caregivers to address the growing demand for specialised elderly care.
11 PM Divyasha-Vayoshri Kendras functioning in Northeast
According to the reply, ALIMCO currently operates 11 Pradhan Mantri Divyasha-Vayoshri Kendras (PMDVKs) across the Northeast. These centres cater to both senior citizens and persons with disabilities by assessing their requirements and facilitating access to assistive devices and rehabilitation services.
The ministry said additional centres may be established in future based on periodic assessments of regional requirements.
Multiple disability welfare schemes in operation
For persons with disabilities, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is implementing several national schemes covering rehabilitation, education, healthcare, skill development and financial assistance.
One of the principal programmes is the Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) scheme, which provides assistive devices to eligible beneficiaries through authorised implementing agencies across the country.
The department is also implementing the Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA), which includes awareness generation programmes aimed at promoting disability rights and sensitising government agencies, service providers and the public.
As part of SIPDA, the government has established Cross Disability Early Intervention Centres (CDEICs) for children aged up to six years. These centres provide screening, early identification, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and counselling services. Nationwide, 28 such centres have been approved under National Institutes and Composite Regional Centres.
Education and skill development support
The ministry said students with disabilities continue to receive financial assistance under the Scholarship Scheme for Students with Disabilities, which covers six categories ranging from pre-matric education to postgraduate studies, doctoral fellowships, overseas scholarships and free coaching for competitive examinations.
In addition, the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Divyangjan (NAP-Skill) provides vocational training for persons with disabilities aged between 15 and 59 years through empanelled government and non-government training partners.
The Unique Disability ID (UDID) initiative is also being implemented nationwide to streamline the issuance of disability certificates and digital identity cards through a centralised online portal.
Financial support is also extended to voluntary organisations under the Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) to strengthen rehabilitation, education, early intervention and community inclusion services.
National Trust schemes active in Northeast
The ministry also highlighted welfare programmes implemented through the National Trust for persons with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and multiple disabilities.
According to the reply, six Disha Centres currently operate across Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya. Two of these are located in Manipur—one in Imphal West managed by the Handicapped Development Foundation and another in Churachandpur operated by the Centre for Community Initiative. Assam has three centres in Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Kamrup Metro, while Meghalaya has one in East Khasi Hills.
The Disha Scheme focuses on early intervention and day-care services for children with developmental disabilities.
The National Trust also runs the Samarth respite care programme, which provides group homes and temporary residential support for persons with disabilities from economically weaker families, including those whose caregivers require temporary assistance.
Another flagship initiative, Niramaya, offers health insurance coverage of up to Rs. 1 lakh for persons with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and multiple disabilities. The scheme covers outpatient treatment, diagnostic tests, therapies, corrective surgeries, alternative medicine and transportation expenses. There is no upper age limit for enrolment.
The Union government said these programmes collectively aim to improve rehabilitation services, educational opportunities, healthcare access, skill development and social inclusion for senior citizens and persons with disabilities across the Northeast.
