National Disability Pension Scheme Benefits 8.33 Lakh Nationwide, 20,000 in Telangana

Rapid Summary

• The Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension scheme (IGNDPS) supports individuals with disabilities under the national Social Assistance Program,introduced in 2009.
• Nationwide,the scheme covers 8,33,571 beneficiaries,with Telangana’s cap set at 20,578 beneficiaries.
• Eligibility criteria include being from below poverty line (BPL) households and having multiple or severe disabilities; it focuses on those with 80% or more disability.
• Hyderabad MP asaduddin Owaisi requested details regarding the number of beneficiaries, eligibility rules, reasoning behind coverage limits for 80%+ disability cases, pension amounts provided by the scheme, and any potential increases in Union Government contributions.
• Obligation for identifying vulnerable individuals rests with respective State governments and Union Territories.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension scheme represents a targeted welfare measure addressing highly vulnerable groups-individuals living below the poverty line who are severely disabled. While effective to some extent in ensuring financial aid reaches those most in need nationally (over 8 lakh beneficiaries), certain aspects warrant scrutiny. Foremost is its strict eligibility criteria restricting benefits to those with over 80% disability; this possibly excludes persons experiencing significant but not extreme disabilities who may still face acute economic challenges.

Additionally, caps such as that on Telangana’s beneficiary numbers highlight resource allocation disparities between states/UTs-a concern when some regions may have higher proportions of eligible populations than others. Mr. Owaisi’s inquiry raises pertinent questions about inclusiveness within welfare programs and whether federal contributions toward such schemes could be expanded to ensure broader coverage while alleviating pressure on state budgets.

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