Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)

The National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) is a wholly owned company by Government of India. NHFDC functions as an Apex institution for extending financial support for education, employment and entrepreneurship of the persons with disabilities through the State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) nominated by the State Government(s). Prominent schemes being implemented by NHFDC are given below in brief:

1. Financial Assistance in the form of Education Loan Education loan is given for pursuing higher education in India and abroad. All courses having employment prospects i.e. Graduation courses/ Post graduation courses/Professional courses and other courses approved by UGC/Government/AICTE etc. are eligible. Maximum amount of loan is Rs.10.00 lakh for courses within India and Rs.20.00 lakh for courses abroad. The rate of interest is 4% per annum, a rebate of 0.5% on interest is allowed to women beneficiaries. The repayment would commence one year after completion of course or 6 months after securing a job, whichever is earlier. The maximum repayment period is 7 years after commencement of repayment.
2. Scholarship Scheme from Trust Fund Under this scheme financial assistance is given to students with disabilities to pursue degree and/or post graduate level technical and professional courses from a recognized institution. Maintenance allowance, book/stationary allowance and grant for purchase of assistive devices are credited to the student’s account. Non-refundable fees are reimbursed to the student on production of proof of deposit of fees or are paid directly to the Institute under intimation to the student. There is provision of 2500 scholarships every year.
3. Scholarship Scheme from National Fund Under this scheme financial assistance is given to students with disabilities to pursue technical and professional courses from a recognized institution. There is provision of 500 scholarships every year. The rate of scholarship is Rs.1000/-p.m. for hostellers and Rs.700/- p.m. for day scholars studying in professional courses at graduation and above level, and Rs.700/- p.m. for hostellers and Rs.400/- p.m. for day scholars pursuing Diploma /certificate level professional. Course fee is reimbursed up to ceiling of Rs.10,000/- per year. In addition, financial assistance can be given for computer with editing software for blind/deaf graduate and post graduate students pursuing professional courses and for support access software for cerebral palsy students.

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Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, popularly known as ALIMCO, a Schedule “C” Central Public Sector Enterprise, was set up in 1972 under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. With 100% shareholding of the Corporation, in the name of Hon’ble President of India, the Authorized Capital and Paid up Capital as on 31.03.2014 were Rs. 300.00 lakhs and Rs. 196.50 lakhs respectively. It is a ‘Not for Profit’ motive company working for the past 42 years, for the noble cause of manufacturing various types of most cost effective ISI marked Assistive Devices, on mass scale. Besides, ALIMCO has been distributing these Assistive Devices for empowering and restoring the dignity of the Persons with Disabilities to cater to Orthopedic Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment and Intellectual Development across the length and breadth of the country, covering all States and Union Territories, under various Government Schemes, CSR Projects of Corporate Sector, utilization of MP LAD Funds, State Governments, National Institutes, Dealer Network, NGOs etc. The Corporation has served around 43 lakhs PwDs so far and is currently serving around 1.5 lakhs PwDs every year, on an average.