The Delhi Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal, has approved the ‘Sugamaya Sahayak Scheme’ on Tuesday to enhance the mobility of individuals with benchmark disabilities. The scheme aims to provide them with aids and appliances such as smart canes, hearing aids, wheelchairs, motorised tricycles, and artificial limbs to enable them to overcome physical barriers, improve their mobility, and pursue education and employment.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Delhi Cabinet Ministers Shri Saurabh Bhardwaj and Ms Atishi announced the cabinet decision regarding the scheme. The Social Welfare Department of the Delhi Government had proposed, through a cabinet note, a plan to integrate people with benchmark disabilities into mainstream society. Shri Saurabh Bhardwaj said that with the approval of the Delhi Cabinet, the Social Welfare Department will provide all necessary support to ensure the smooth functioning of the scheme.
The department will enter into a five-year agreement with a government company to organise awareness camps and provide individuals with benchmark disabilities with the necessary equipment. The scheme aims to integrate people with benchmark disabilities into mainstream society by enabling them to overcome physical barriers and improve their mobility. “It will also enhance their quality of life, provide them with equal opportunities, and ensure their inclusion in society,” Shri Saurabh Bhardwaj said.
The Sugamaya Sahayak Scheme is a significant step towards building an inclusive society, and the Delhi Government is committed to providing all necessary support to make it a success. With this scheme, the Delhi Government aims to create a more accessible and inclusive environment for all individuals with benchmark disabilities.
To be eligible for the scheme, the applicant must be a resident of the National Capital Territory of Delhi with a disability of 40% or more, which should be validated by a disability certificate or a UDID card issued by an authorised medical authority as per the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Additionally, the total annual income of the applicant’s family, from all sources, should not exceed Rs. 8 lakhs.
The applicant or their parent/guardian must submit an undertaking confirming that they have not received the same benefit or item from any other government scheme or source in the past three years. However, for children below 12 years of age, no such limit is applicable for fabricated appliances, except for motorised tricycles and wheelchairs. The possession of an Aadhaar card is also mandatory.
