The government has approved incentive schemes for creating 1,00,000 employment opportunities a year for the physically challenged persons in the private sector, the Lok Sabha was informed on Thursday.
The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan informed the Parliament, "The scheme envisages utilising the employer's contribution to Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees State Insurance (ESI) for providing employment for the first three years to persons with disabilities".
Detailing about the scheme she said, "The benefit of the scheme is for the persons with monthly wage up to Rs 25,000. The scheme covers all persons with disabilities defined under Disabilities Act, 1995 and National Trust for welfare of persons with Autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999.
"Regarding the processes started by the government for proper and adequate maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens, it is coming up with a scheme 'Integrated Programme for Older Persons' under which the financial assistance upto 90
per cent of the project cost is provided to the NGOs," the Minister said.
"The NGOs are funded for establishing and maintaining old age homes, day care centers, mobile medicare units and non institutional services to older persons," added Jagadeesan.