| Aids such as wheel
chairs, crutches are also given by the government for the handicapped.
The government has provided guidance and counseling
centers for the handicapped to help them get information about the various
central and state government schemes.
In case of government housing schemes first preference
in given to the handicapped in case of allotment.
In case of equipment imported for the handicapped there are concession
given on the import duty paid.
There are mainly three types of assistance
provided for:
Financial Assistance
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For those who want
to set up small businesses, an amount Rs 500 to Rs 1000 given
as seed money to buy the equipment or the items needed to set up
shop.
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Margin money scheme:
A 20 per cent subsidy is given for a maximum amount of Rs 25,000
taken as a loan from a nationalized bank to start small businesses.
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For men above the
age of 60 and women above the age of 55, financial assistance to
stay in an Old Age Home is provided for. This includes charges of
boarding and lodging and medical expenses that could be incurred.
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There is a National
and State award for excellence instituted for the handicapped employees.
This is awarded to handicapped employee on the recommendation from
an institution on the relevant form available with the district
social welfare officer at the Maharashtra State Mantralaya.
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Financial assistance,
up to 90 per cent, on approval, is also given for buildings or arranging
seminars and conferences to physically handicapped persons.
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Education
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Scholarship for study
from 1st to 8th standard given by the Maharashtra State Government.
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Scholarship for study
from 9th standard onwards to master's degree or technical education.
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Merit scholarship
for further studies for those who have passed the 10th and 12th
standard
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Grants in aid are
given to all types of voluntary agencies and teaching institutions
included under the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) Act and
teachers recruited recognized by RCI.
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There is also provision
for schools that have handicapped children to send their teachers
for special training to teach such children.
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Travel concessions
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Rail Travel: 75 per
cent concession on rail fare is given for the handicapped person
traveling and 50 per cent is given to escorts traveling with them.
Only the blind and the orthopedically handicapped are allowed an
escort. Hearing and speech impaired are allowed 50 per cent concession
on the rail fare.
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State Transport:
Concessions on fares up to 70 per cent is allowed for traveling
by state transport to attend seminars, for treatment or for educational
rehabilitation. To avail the concession an application has to put
forward in advance stating the reasons for travel.
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For those working
in government offices get 5 per cent of their salary as conveyance
allowance and an additional amount of Rs 100.
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Visually handicapped
are allowed discounted air fare on one way travel by the Indian
Airlines.
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Govt.
assistance
