PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

EXTRAORDINARY

Published by Authority

CHANDIGARH, MONDAY, JANUARY11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942SAKA)

( 63 )

GOVERNMENT OF PUNJAB

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

(Social Security Branch)

NOTIFICATION

The 9th January, 2021

No. 11/5/2017-1SS/(6SS)/92.-The Governor of Punjab is pleased to frame the scheme titled "The

Punjab Divyangjan Shaktikaran Yojna".

Scheme

Short title and commencement-

(1) This Scheme may be called "The Punjab Divyangjan Shaktikaran Yojna, 2021".

(2) It shall come into force on and with effect from the date of its publication in the official Gazette.

Context-

The Government of Punjab, in keeping with the spirit of the Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016,

is committed to ensure protection of the rights of persons with disabilities and to provide equal opportunities

to enable their full and effective participation and inclusion in society, through several ongoing and new

initiatives and programmes. As per Census 2011, in Punjab, out of a population of 2.72 crore, there are

6.5 lakh disabled persons i.e. 2.14% of the population. This comprises 3.79 lakhs (58%) males and 2.74

lakhs (42%) females. The number of disabled persons is highest in the age group of 20-29 years

(1.17 lakhs). A majority (20%) of disabled persons have disability in movement, 12.6% have visual

disability and another 22.4% have disability in hearing, while the remaining account for other types of

disabilities.

Barrier- free Environment

The Government of Punjab aims to provide a barrier-free environment to persons with disabilities, in a

phased manner as follows:

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

Government and public-centric buildings shall be made accessible.

Public transportation shall be made accessible.

Websites shall be made accessible.

Punjab Divyangjan Shaktikaran Yojna (PDSY)

A major scheme for the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), the Punjab Divyangjan

Shaktikaran Yojna (PDSY) shall be implemented all over the State. This will contain two parts: A and B.

Part A of the scheme shall focus entirely on providing all eligible PwDs the benefits of existing

government schemes/ongoing schemes being run by various Government departments.

Part B of the scheme shall have new initiatives / programmes that shall be taken by the Government

of Punjab to cover those aspects and needs, which have hitherto not been covered under any existing

Centrally/State sponsored scheme or PwD-oriented schemes of different departments.

Punjab Divyangjan Shaktikaran Yojna (PDSY)

Part-A

Ongoing Schemes

The following initiatives shall be taken up and pursued in an integrated manner under ongoing

schemes for the empowerment of persons with disabilities in the State:

4.1.

Free concessional travel in Government buses

Free travel in Government buses is currently being given to blind persons in the State. One accompanying

attendant shall be given free travel along with blind passengers.

(Action: Dept. of Transport and Dept. of Social Security,

Women & Child Development)

4.2.

Smart Ration Card Scheme under National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013

Smart Ration Card Scheme (SRCS), which covers 1.42 crore beneficiaries in the State will be used for

withdrawing foodgrains from the Fair Price Shops (FPS) through e-PoS machines without the need for

an additional document. All the eligible PwDs shall be covered on priority under the scheme. The details

of the family can be seen at Fair Price Shops just by swiping the smart ration card at the e-PoS

machines. The smart ration card holder will be able to withdraw food grains anywhere in the state

irrespective of his/her district of permanent residence. The Government has initiated the process of

making 'smart ration cards with chips' to distribute subsidized ration to BPL families.

(Action by: Dept. of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs)

4.3

Health Insurance:

The Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme is a comprehensive health insurance scheme under the National

Trusts Act 1999 with an insurance cover of Rs. 1 lakh, with a single premium across all age bands.

Under the scheme, enrolment is free for PwDs with a legal guardian (other than natural parents). To

enable this, the following steps shall be taken:

Identification of eligible beneficiaries having disability certificates shall be carried out.

Identification of an organization registered under National Trusts Act, shall be carried out.

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

Online registration shall be carried out and an E-card shall be provided to the beneficiaries.

(Action: Dept. of Social Security and

Women & Child Development)

4.4.

Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana (SSBY) Punjab

Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana (SSBY) Punjab, is a health insurance scheme under which cost of treatment

is exempted up to the limit of Rs. 5 lakh to eligible families. Under Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana (SSBY),

all eligible PwDs shall be covered on priority.

(Action by: Dept. of Health and Family Welfare)

4.5.

Earning a Livelihood: the Primary Enabler

The Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission (PSRLM) being run by the Department of Rural Development

aims to reduce poverty by enabling poor households to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage

employment opportunities. Persons with disability shall be facilitated to draw full benefits under PSRLM.

Women with disability shall be motivated to join Self Help Groups (SHG) during the camps/functions

under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) and similar schemes to enable them to become economically

independent in partnership with Department of Rural Development, Punjab Skill Development Mission,

NABARD and Department of Cooperation.

(Action:

Departments

Rural

Development and Panchayats, Social

Security

and

Women

Child

Development;

Cooperation

and

Employment Generation and Training

{PSDM}).

4.6.

Shop-keeping

Shops and kiosks are set up at bus-stands, tourist spots and in educational institutions in Punjab, for

travellers' needs and in other possible places for daily needs of local residents by various entities i.e.

Tourism Department, Red Cross, Zila Parishads, Milkfed, Department of Higher Education and

Department of Transport Department. These kiosks shall be allotted with preference to PwDs, to

provide them with a steady source of livelihood.

(Action: Departments of Transport;

Rural Development and Panchayats,

Tourism; Higher Education; and

Cooperation/Milkfed)

4.7.

Skill Development and Vocational Training

Skill development of PwDs shall be addressed on priority because it is largely hampered due to lack of

education, poor soft skills and inadequate entrepreneurship and management training. Access to skill-

based vocational training shall be made available to all PwDs right from the school level. Skill- based

cooperative entrepreneurship shall be promoted among SHGs in both urban and rural areas. Skilling/

training programmes exclusively for PwDs shall also be conducted. PwD shall, in addition, be given

preference in the ongoing skilling programmes of PSDM. For this, the required budget demand shall be

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

projected by PSDM to the State Government in their detailed proposal. All the SHGs comprising PwDs

shall be given training regarding the importance of e- commerce, Mahila-E-Haat Portal and other online

marketing platforms where persons with disabilities can market their products.

(Action: Deptt. of Employment Generation and Training)

4.8.

Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SABLA)

The main objective of the scheme is to provide nutrition to the girls in the age group of 11-14 years and

school drop-out girls and to improve their socio- economic status. Under the scheme, all disabled girls

shall be covered on priority basis.

(Action by: Deptt. of Social Security

and Women & Child Development)

4.9.

Free Transport Facility to Students

To increase the enrolment in government primary schools, the School Education Department has started

work to provide free transport facilities to school children. Under the scheme, all children with disabilities

shall be covered on priority.

(Action by: Deptt. of School Education)

4.10

Hostel Facilities

Hostels are constructed by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment and Minorities, for OBC

boys and girls in school and colleges. Preference shall be given to students with disabilities belonging to

Minorities and OBCs.

(Action: Deptt. of Social Justice &

Empowerment of Minorities)

4.11

Free Coaching

For competitive exams, free coaching will be given to all PwD candidates across the State, by the

Department of Social Justice & Empowerment and Minorities.

(Action: Deptt. of Social Justice &

Empowerment of Minorities)

4.12

The Ashirwad Scheme

Under the Ashirwad scheme, Rs. 21,000 is given at the time of the marriage of girls belonging to SC and

BC families. All physically or intellectually disabled girls who fulfil the eligibility criteria of the Ashirwad

Scheme, shall be covered on priority.

(Action: Dept. of Social Justice &

Empowerment of Minorities)

4.13.

Mai Bhago Vidya Scheme

Under the scheme, free bicycles are provided "to all girl students from 9th to 10th classes studying in

Government schools" with the objective of encouraging the enrolment of girl students in schools and to

reduce the school dropout rate. There shall be special focus on disabled girl students under this

scheme. Modern tricycles shall be given to all disabled girl students.

(Action: Deptt. of Social Security and Women &

Child Development)

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

4.14.

Inclusive Education for Children with Special Needs (CWSN)

Under the SAMAGRA scheme, every child with special needs, irrespective of the kind, category and

degree of disability, is to be provided education in an appropriate environment. Children with mild

disabilities shall be admitted to a regular school and a Special Educator will provide resource support to

the school/teacher/child on his/her school visit. Children with moderate disabilities shall be admitted to

regular schools. In the resource room, an individual Education Plan shall be prepared for each child with

specific goals to be achieved. Children with severe to profound degrees of disability shall be provided

Home Based Education. These children are mostly bedridden or are incapable of going out of the

secure environment of their homes independently. The focus in their education shall be on teaching

ADL skills (Activities of Daily Living). ADL skills comprise six basic activities: eating, bathing, dressing,

toileting, walking and continence. They shall also be taught essential life skills and given vocational

training as per their condition. Under the scheme, all eligible CWSN shall be covered.

(Action by: Deptt. of School Education)

4.15.

Physiotherapy and Speech Therapy for Children with Special Needs (CWSN)

Physiotherapy and speech therapy shall be provided to children with special needs (CWSN) by therapists

appointed at district level. In remote/rural areas, physiotherapy shall be provided by local physiotherapists

in their clinics. Two camps shall be organized daily by each physiotherapist at two different locations at

the cluster level, where physiotherapy shall be provided to the child and training/guidance is given to the

caregiver.

For wider awareness, the Department of Social Security and Women and Child Development

shall run awareness activities under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme. All needy children shall be

covered under this scheme.

(Action by: Departments of School Education and

Social Security and Women & Child Development)

4.16.

Travel & Escort Allowance

Travel & escort allowance shall be provided to Children with Special Needs coming to school from far

off areas. The allowance is in the form of payment to the person/ auto etc. engaged to ferry the children

to school and back.

Under the scheme, all eligible PwD shall be covered. For the information of the public, the

Department of Social Security and Women and Child Development shall run awareness activities under

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme. Information about this shall be displayed at each Anganwadi Centre.

(Action by: Departments of School Education;

and Social Security and Women & Child Development)

4.17.

Dr. Hargobind Khurana Scholarship Scheme for brilliant students

A scholarship of Rs. 2500/- per month amounting to Rs. 30000/- per year for two years shall be given

to brilliant students (boys and girls) to continue their studies at senior secondary level. Brilliant students

from poor economic background, who have secured 80% or higher marks in the PSEB Class 10th

Board exams, are eligible. There is no income limit under this scheme. Under the scheme, all eligible

PwDs shall be covered on priority.

(Action by: Deptt. of School Education)

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

4.18.

Free Education in Residential Meritorious Schools

Ten meritorious residential senior secondary schools have been opened in Punjab for providing free

education to poor and meritorious students of Punjab. 60% seats are reserved for girls. Free food,

lodging, uniform, textbooks and extra coaching is also provided.

Under the scheme, girls with disabilities shall be given preference. Also, 10% reservation shall be

given to girls with disabilities out of the 60% seats reserved for girls. There shall be 5% reservation for

Persons with Disabilities out of the remaining 40% seats.

(Action by: Deptt. of School Education)

4.19.

Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Hostels Scheme (KGBV)

Under the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme, 29 Hostels would be set up to provide free

education and healthcare to girls in Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs) at the upper primary level

to promote girl's education and to eliminate gender disparity. The main objective of this scheme is to

bring the girl child to school and to retain her in school. Under the scheme, girls with disabilities shall be

given preference.

(Action by: Deptt. of School Education)

4.20

Upgradation of Merit of SC Students (for both Boys & Girls)

Rs. 25000 /- shall be to SC students with the objective of enhancing academic capability and removing

educational deficiencies by arranging remedial and special coaching for SC students studying in Classes

9th to 12th. Under the scheme, SC students with any kind of disability shall be given priority.

(Action by: Deptt. of Social Justice &

Empowerment of Minorities)

4.21.

Vocational Skills Training

Under the SAMAGRA scheme, training is imparted to Children with Special Needs (CWSN) on various

projects like mobile repair, stitching & tailoring, footwear- making, soft toy- making, candle-making,

card-making, envelope-making, making decorative items and so on. Under the scheme, all eligible

Children with Special Needs (CWSN) shall be covered.

(Action by: Deptt. of School Education)

4.22.

Provision of Support Services

Treatment/Surgery: An important component is the provision of surgical correction and allied

services to children with special needs. Children suffering from polio, cerebral palsy, congenital

deformities, cleft lip/cleft palate, condition, low vision and burn injuries shall be provided corrective

surgery free of cost under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).

Children suffering from life-threatening illnesses like Rheumatic Heart Disease/ Congenital Heart

Disease (RHD-CHD) and Thalassemia are also covered under this component and shall be treated

in collaboration with the Dept. of Health, funded under National Health Mission (NHM).

Children suffering from cancer shall also be covered for treatment under the CM Cancer Relief

Fund.

Under the scheme, all the eligible PwDs shall be covered. For wider awareness, the Department

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

of Social Security and Women and Child Development shall run promotional activities under the

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme and such other schemes under implementation in the State of

Punjab. Also, the required medical services would be given to children with disabilities, at Spinal

Injury Centre, SAS Nagar, which is being run by the Department of Social Security and Women &

Child Development.

(Action by: Department of School Education and Department of

Social Security and Women & Child Development)

4.23.

Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)

Under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram of the Health Department, 30 developmental delays,

diseases, deficiencies and disabilities have been included. Convergence is being established with the

Health Department for providing these services to the affected children.

Under the scheme, all the eligible PwDs shall be covered. For wider awareness, Department of

Social Security and Women and Child Development shall run awareness activities under Beti Bachao

Beti Padhao scheme and other schemes.

(Action by: Departments of School Education; and

Social Security and Women & Child Development)

4.24.

Social empowerment

Disabled women shall be given monetary benefit on priority under the Ashirwad Scheme being

run by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment of SC/BC.

If a disabled person (male or female) marries an able-bodied person, a one-time incentive equivalent

to double the amount provided under the Ashirwad Scheme, shall be given to the couple.

(Action: Deptt. of Social Justice &

Empowerment of Minorities)

4.25.

Sports for Players with Disabilities

All persons with disability, who win gold, silver and bronze medals in paralympic sports, shall be

entitled to monetary awards just like other sportspersons, as per the new sports policy of the State

Government.

As per the new sports policy, the Sports Department shall select the top 20 players and one

differently/specially abled player who have won medals in specified national or international

championships/games and participated in various specified international level tournaments and

who have been graded on a scale of 100 points, as per guidelines. Each such player shall be given

a cash award with a trophy and blazer, just like able-bodied sportspersons, as per the guidelines of

the Sports Department.

(Action: Deptt. of Sports)

4.26.

The UDID Card: A single identity card for persons with disabilities

The UDID project is a flagship project of the Government of India. It aims at building a holistic

end-to-end integrated system for issuance of Universal ID & Disability Certificates to Person

with Disabilities. This project has been implemented in all 22 districts with a view to create a

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

database for PwDs, and to issue a Unique Disability Identity Card to each person with disabilities.

This UDID card shall bring a host of benefits to the Persons with Disabilities.

With the UDID Card, persons with disabilities will not have to make multiple copies of documents

or maintain or carry multiple documents, as the card will capture all the necessary details which

can be decoded with the help of a QR (Quick Response) reader.

The UDID card will therefore be the single document of identification and verification for persons

with disability for availing various benefits in future.

The UDID Card will also help streamline the tracking of the physical and financial progress of the

PwD beneficiary at all levels of hierarchy of implementation – at village, block, district, state and

national level.

In Punjab, 94 Government Hospitals are engaged in the issue of medical certificates/ UDID

Cards and so far 1,45,928 (as on 13th Nov. 2020) UDID Cards have been issued to Persons with

Disabilities. The target is to reach out to all such persons and cover them under this initiative by

October 2021.

(Action by: Deptt. of Social Security and

Women & Child Development)

4.27.

Financial Assistance to Disabled Persons

Financial assistance is granted to persons with various disabilities, who are unable to earn their livelihood

and have less than Rs. 60,000/- annual income. Persons with less than 50% disability are not eligible for

financial assistance under this scheme. Mentally disabled persons are, however, eligible, irrespective of

the extent of disability. Under the scheme, all the eligible PwDs shall be covered. Mentally disabled

persons shall be covered on priority basis.

(Action by: Deptt. of Social Security and Women & Child Development)

4.28.

Free Education upto Class XII for all in the State

Currently, the State Government provides free education to all students up to Class VIII and to girl

students up to Class XII. To promote education for all children in the State, it has been decided to grant

free education in government schools to all students up to Class XII. Under the scheme, all children

with disabilities shall be covered on priority.

(Action by: Deptt. of School Education)

4.29.

Backlog in Government Jobs

The Department of Employment Generation and Skill Development has finalised the State Employment

Plan for the years 2020-22. The endeavour shall be to clear the backlog of PwDs in government jobs.

in implementation of this plan.

(Action by: Deptt. of Employment

Generation & Training)

4.30.

Children with Specific Disabilities, like Intellectual Disability

There are many children with specific disabilities like intellectual disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder,

etc. who do not benefit from the mainstream education system of regular school and resource room

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

teaching, as they cannot cope with the course curriculum and the examination system. Punjab School

Education Board has given special concessions to students with Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment,

Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Specific Learning Disability, Chronic

Neurological Conditions, Parkinson's disease, Mental Illness and Multiple Disabilities including Deaf-

Blindness. These relaxations include:

A separate question paper, which shall consist of 60% multiple choice questions, 20% very short

answer type and 20% short answer type questions.

A special solved question bank has been created for all subjects of classes 5th to 8th by SCERT

and for classes 10th and 12th by PSEB. All questions in the final examinations conducted by

PSEB and SCERT shall be derived from this question bank.

For classes 9th and 11th, teachers shall develop their own question bank and separate question

paper for the students.

No fees or any kind of charges shall be levied on students with benchmark disabilities belonging to

the 21 categories of disabilities as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD

Act), 2016 (Copy attached).

Under the scheme, it shall be ensured that all children with specific disabilities are given

these relaxations/benefits.

(Action by: Deptt. of School Education)

PUNJAB DIVYANGJAN SHAKTIKARAN YOJNA (PDSY)

Part-B New Schemes

The following new initiatives that shall be taken for the empowerment of persons with

disabilities are:

5.1.

Treatment on suffering disability

Disability might exist at birth, or occur at any later stage in life. Free Medical treatment shall be extended

to those persons from BPL, OBCs, SC families who suffer disability at any stage in life.

(Action: Department of Social Security and Women &

Child Development; and Health and Family Welfare)

5.2.

Mobility Aids & Assistive Devices

Mobility aids and assistive devices like wheelchairs, tricycles, callipers, artificial limbs, crutches, rotellers,

sticks and canes for the blind, retractable sticks, MR Kit, CP chairs, etc. shall be provided to disabled

children through ALIMCO, to enable them to lead an active life. For this, medical assessment camps

shall be held to assess the requirement of the children and the recommended devices are provided to the

children at Fitment & Distribution Camps organized expressly for this purpose. Under the scheme, all

eligible PwD shall be covered. For wider awareness, the Department of Social Security and Women

and Child Development shall run publicity drives under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme.

(Action by: Departments of School Education;

and Social Security and Women & Child Development)

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

5.3.

Promoting Education

The School for the Blind at Jamalpur, Ludhiana has already been upgraded to the 12th standard.

The process of creating vacancies for teaching staff has been initiated, after which recruitment

shall be fast-tracked so that classes for Plus 1 and Plus 2 can be started, thereafter.

The Government shall set up a residential school upto Class 12 for Children with Speech and

Hearing Disabilities in Ludhiana. The State Government has earmarked funds to the tune of Rs.

15.00 crores for building and infrastructure.

Students with disabilities shall be provided with assistive devices free of cost at school and college

level to ensure inclusive education and enhance their mobility.

Students with disabilities shall be extended the facility of easy and accessible study loans to

continue their education.

All educational institutions including universities which have accommodation within their premises

shall ensure the allotment of rooms to students with disabilities on priority basis.

Participation of students with disabilities in sports and recreational activities shall be actively

encouraged.

Free mobile telephones and tablets shall be provided to all students with disabilities in class 11th

and above studying in government schools.

(Action by: Deptt. of School Education)

5.4

Research and Human Resource Development

A Disability Studies Centre in Punjabi University, Patiala shall be set up to promote education and

research in the field of disability. It shall function as a nodal centre for providing training on

disability issues to different stakeholders.

A Training College for Special Needs Educators shall be set up to create a resource pool of

competent teachers to teach children with special needs.

With the help of the Education Department and leading organizations, a separate modern syllabus

for different categories of disabled students shall be designed.

(Action: Departments of Higher Education and Department of

Social Security and Women & Child Development)

5.5

Five Days of Special leave in a Calendar Year

All disabled employees of the State Government shall be entitled to 5 days of special leave in a calendar

year for attending seminars/workshops on the subject of disability. This shall include one holiday on the

eve of World Disabled Day i.e. 3 December of each year and 1 holiday on the eve of the birthday of

Louis Braille i.e. 4 January every year.

(Action: Deptt. of Personnel)

5.6

Free Education

Education upto the age of 18 years is currently free for students with disability. Further studies shall be

free for meritorious disabled students. A scheme for the purpose shall be prepared by the Department

of Higher Education.

(Action: Deptt. of Higher Education)

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

5.7

Empowerment of disabled girl students

The existing scheme namely “Attendance Scholarship Scheme for Rural Handicapped Girl Students”

for Classes 10th, 11th and 12th shall be extended upto post-graduation level to help disabled girl students

acquire higher education without interruption.

(Action: Deptt. of School Education)

5.8

Recreational activities

Annual / bi-annual competitions of various kinds shall be organised at the school/college and university

level for drawing out the creative potential of students with disability. The best entries shall be felicitated

on World Disability Day.

(Action: Departments of School Education;

and Higher Education)

5.9

Home Schooling Scheme for Children with Special Needs

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic scenario, children with special needs (CWSN) are among the

most affected sections of society. Interruption in support due to closure of schools and restriction in the

movement of support staff has rendered their life miserable. Further, the prevalent online system of

education does not cater to the needs of these children because of lack of required infrastructure.

Keeping in mind the problems in the existing system of education and the skeletal support system in

existence for these differently-abled children due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need a new scheme

to cater to their rapidly evolving needs.

There will be some children with severe degrees of disability who may not be able to attend

regular school because of the severity of their disability. If they are sent to a regular school, they might

not be able to cope, as they will not be able to respond to a standardized curriculum and evaluation

system. A large percentage of CWSN are deprived of their right to education due to the severe nature

of their disabilities. They need a special education programme outside the purview of the regular

classroom.

The Department of School Education (DoSE) shall design a special Homeschooling Scheme for

Children with Special Needs in consultation with experts.

(Action: Deptt of School Education)

5.10

State Award for Outstanding Work Done by Teachers with Disability

Teachers with disabilities undergo various types of hardship. There is a need to recognize their painstaking

efforts in becoming teachers and then functioning as role models despite disability.

The Department of School Education shall reserve two State Teacher Awards specifically for teachers

with disabilities - one for primary teachers and the other for teachers teaching at secondary level.

(Action: Deptt. of School Education)

5.11

Participation in Local Government

To facilitate participation in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, representation shall be

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

introduced for persons with disability, where the number of elected and nominated members in these

institutions is 10 or more.

(Action by Departments of Rural Development &

Panchayats; and Local Government)

5.12

Service Provider Scheme

A Rural Area Service Provider Scheme shall be rolled out, under which licences shall be given by the

Department of Social Security and Women & Child Development to eligible PwDs with internet skills

who possess the ability to offer online services. The Rural Area Services Provider shall provide chargeable

services. He/she will operate in his own premises and offer services like the following at prescribed

rates:

•

payment of online electricity bills,

•

LIC premium payment,

•

filling a online application for competitive exams and admissions and so on.

(Action: Dept. of Social Security and Women &

Child Development)

5.13

Survey and Database Creation at District Level

The need to create a district level database for persons with disabilities has long been felt in order to

identify various needs of differently-abled persons. A database incorporating different types of disabilities

viz. intellectual, hearing, locomotor and visual impairment shall be created to help in identifying the

target population under various schemes of the Government.

For this purpose:

•

A comprehensive proforma shall be designed to obtain information.

•

Frontline workers shall assist in gathering requisite information from the field through the CDPO.

•

Compilation of a block level database at district level shall be done by the District Social Security

Officers (DSSOs).

•

District-wise data on Persons with Disabilities shall be collected through Anganwadi Workers by

incentivizing them @ Rs. 10 per proforma.

(Action: Deptt. of Social Security and Women &

Child Development)

6.0

Financing

PDSY aims to maximise the benefits of various schemes and programmes for PwDs through

convergence and effective implementation in an integrated manner. It also aims to pursue new initiatives

to fill critical gaps in the empowerment of PwDs. In the first year, the PDSY will be executed by

accessing funds from current year's allocations under the existing programmes and schemes. New

initiatives and interventions will be started from the next year in view of financial constraints being

faced due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. From the year 2021-22, an additional annual allocation of Rs 30

crore including Rs 5 crore for IEC activites will be made for new interventions, which shall be enhanced

as per the progress of the Yojna.

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

7.0

Planning and Monitoring

The planning and implementation of various schemes and activities envisaged under the PDSY shall be

carried out by the respective administrative departments, that are responsible to execute such an action

under its allocation of business. They shall also monitor the progress of their respective activities and

interventions. However, the Plan prepared by various administrative departments with respect to their

specific tasks shall be sent to the Department of Social Security and Women & Child Development to

enable them to consolidate an Annual Plan for the development of PwDs in the State. Overall progress

of such a Plan shall however be monitored by the Planning and Monitoring Committee as following:

Planning and Monitoring Committee (PMC)

Principal Secretary, Social Security and Women

Chairman;

and Child Development

ii)

Principal Secretary, Finance or nominee not

Member

below the rank of Special Secretary.

iii)

Principal Secretary, Planning or nominee not

Member

below the rank of Special Secretary

iv)

Principal Secretary, Social Justice & Empowerment

Member

of Minorities or nominee not below the rank of Special Secretary

Principal Secretary, Labour or nominee not

Member

below the rank of Special Secretary

vi)

Financial Commissioner, Rural Development

Member

and Panchayats

vii)

Principal Secretary, Local Government or

Member

nominee not below the rank of Special Secretary

viii) Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare

Member

or nominee not below the rank of Special Secretary

ix)

Principal Secretary, Technical Education &

Member

Industrial Training or nominee not below the rank of Special Secretary

Secretary, Higher Education or nominee not

Member

below the rank of Special Secretary

xi)

Secretary, School Education or nominee not

Member

below the rank of Special Secretary

xii)

Director, Social Security and Women & Child

Member

Development

Secretary

State Level Steering Committee (SLSC)

In addition, the Yojna shall be steered by the State Level Steering Committee (SLSC) headed by the Chief

Secretary, Punjab. SLSC shall comprise the following and shall be convened and coordinated by the Department

of Social Security and Women & Child Development. The Committee shall resolve all inter-departmental issues

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

that may arise in the implementation of the PDSY.

Chief Secretary, Punjab

Chairman

ii)

Principal Secretary, Finance

Member

iii)

Principal Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment of Minorities

Member

iv)

Principal Secretary, Planning

Member

Financial Commissioner, Rural Development and Panchayats

Member

vi)

Principal Secretary, Local Government

Member

vii)

Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare

Member

viii) Principal Secretary, Technical Education & Industrial Training.

Member

ix)

Director, Social Security and Women & Child Development

Member Secretary

Consultative Group of Ministers (CGM)

For overall guidance and policy support for the PDSY, a Consultative Group of Ministers (CGM) shall be

set up under the chairmanship of Social Security, Women & Child Development Minister, Punjab with the

following as members:

Social Security, Women & Child Development

Chairman

ii)

Minister Finance Minister

Member

iii)

Local Government Minister

Member

iv)

Rural Development & Panchayats Minister

Member

Cooperation Minister

Member

vi)

Education Minister

Member

vii)

Technical Education Minister

Member

viii) Social Justice Empowerment & Minorities

Member

ix)

Minister Health & Family Welfare Minister

Member

Chief Secretary

Member

xi)

Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister

Member

xii)

Principal Secretary, Social Security and Women &

Member

Child Development

Secretary

8.0

The Group would -

Review and assess the progress of the PDSY and give its recommendations for further

improvement;

Recommend amendments/ updation of the scheme to improve its coverage with the effective

participation of community; and

Review and monitor the progress of the scheme at regular periodic intervals.

9.0

The Planning and Monitoring Committee (PMC) and the State Level Steering Committee (SLSC) may

meet as often as required but should meet at least once in two months. They may co-opt any other

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

officer as may be required to carry out the objectives of the Yojna. In so far as the Consultative Group

of Ministers is concerned, it should meet at least once in three months not only to review and monitor

the performance of the Yojna, but also to evaluate its success for future improvements, if any.

10.0

District Level Steering Committee (DLSC)

A District Level Steering Committee (DLSC) headed by the Deputy Commissioner shall be constituted

for the micro management of PDSY at district level. DLSC shall comprise the following and shall be

convened and coordinated by the District Programme Officer of the Department of Social Security and

Women & Child Development.

Deputy Commissioner,

Chairperson

Additional Deputy Commissioner (D),

Member

Commissioner Corporation,

Member

Civil Surgeon,

Member

District Education Officer,

Member

District Development Panchayat Officer,

Member

Chief Agriculture Officer,

Member

District Social Justice & Empowerment Officer

Member

Two representatives from Civil Society

Member

Organizations/NGOs,

(Preferably Women and PwDs)

10)

District Programme Officer,

Convener

The District Level Steering Committee (DLSC) may meet as often as required but should meet at least

once in a month. They may co-opt any other officer as may be required to carry out the objectives of

the Yojna at district level.

11.0

Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Activities

As stated earlier, the PDSY is mainly envisaged for implementation of various existing schemes and

programmes for the development of PwDs through a common sector-wide approach and convergence. It aims

to pursue and access funds under the existing schemes to maximize their benefits for the PwDs. However, to fill

critical gaps some new interventions have also been proposed in keeping with the basic premise of the scheme

for which requisite allocation of funds would be made in the budget for 2021-22. For wider dissemination of

information and awareness building, and new schemes, an additional budget of Rs 30 crore per annum including

Rs.5 crore for IEC activities, would be required. The Department of Social Security and Women & Child

Development would prepare an Annual IEC Plan, which shall be regularly monitored not only by the PMC, but

also by the SLSC.

12.0

All administrative departments are expected to follow the guidelines of their respective

schemes and programmes to accomplish the objective of the Yojna. However, if there are issues that need any

further clarifications, these should be presented to the SLSC by the Department of Social Security and Women

& Child Development and the recommendations of the Committee shall be put up to the Chief Minister who

shall be competent to pass necessary orders if any, required to carry out the objectives of the Schemes.

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), JANUARY 11, 2021 (PAUSA 21, 1942 SAKA)

ii)

All administrative departments shall make necessary arrangements required in the planning,

implementation and monitoring of their respective schemes to align these with the scheme of things as envisaged

under the PDSY. They shall designate a Nodal Officer in their respective departments to coordinate timely

follow-up action.

13.0

All concerned shall ensure strict compliance and make concerted efforts to make the PDSY a success.

RAJI P. SHRIVASTAVA,

Principal Secretary to the Government of Punjab,

Chandigarh

Department of Social Security and Women,

The 8th January, 2021

& Child Development.

2200/1-2021/Pb. Govt. Press, S.A.S. Nagar