India's 2.13 per cent population is disabled

New Delhi, Nov 27 (UNI) Of the billion-plus population in the country, 2.13 per cent falls within the disabled category, as per the 2001 Census, the government today informed the Rajya Sabha.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan said any Indian citizen, with 40 per cent or more disability and in the 18-55 age group, is entitled to seek financial assistance from the national Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC).

The other criteria for this assistance include annual income below Rs one lakh per annum for urban areas and Rs 80,000 for rural areas.

Under the educational loan scheme, the income of a disabled student should be below Rs five lakh. In addition, he/she should have passed the previous examination with 50 per cent aggregate marks.

Replying to another query, Ms Jagadeesan said during 2005-06, a total of 4,665 disabled people received financial assistance from NHFDC to the tune of Rs 2344.17 lakh.

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