SRINAGAR: In the last five years, a total of 88,133 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) have received financial assistance from the National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) under various concessional loan schemes. The assistance, aimed at empowering people with disabilities, covers a wide range of beneficiaries across India, including Jammu and Kashmir, where 3,298 PwDs have benefited from the schemes.
The NDFDC, a Central Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has actively worked to improve the lives of people with disabilities by providing them financial support for different needs such as education, skill development, and entrepreneurial ventures. In response to feedback and regular reviews of its operations, several improvements have been introduced, such as a name change to NDFDC, a 1% rebate on interest rates for timely repayments, and increased loan limits.
The NDFDC offers concessional loans to persons with disabilities to help them achieve financial independence and integrate more effectively into society. These loans are available for pursuing education, setting up businesses, or acquiring assistive devices. The recent amendments to the loan structure, such as reducing the rate of interest on education loans from 9% to 4% per annum and raising the loan limit from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, reflect the government’s commitment to bettering the lives of Divyangjans.
To further facilitate accessibility to these schemes, NDFDC has partnered with multiple Public Sector Banks and signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 17 Regional Rural Banks in 12 states. These collaborations have expanded the outreach and effectiveness of the financial support programs, ensuring that Divyangjans in both rural and urban areas can benefit from the schemes.
Among the states and Union Territories, Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of beneficiaries, with 11,603 Persons with Disabilities receiving financial aid. Tamil Nadu follows closely with 35,003 recipients, highlighting the widespread need and uptake of these services. Other states like Kerala, Rajasthan, and Telangana also recorded significant numbers, with 9,815, 5,223, and 6,972 beneficiaries, respectively.
In Jammu and Kashmir, 3,298 individuals have benefited from the NDFDC’s assistance, reflecting the government’s ongoing efforts to reach underserved and remote regions. These numbers indicate that the government is ensuring that individuals with disabilities across India, including in Jammu and Kashmir, have access to the resources they need for education and economic advancement.
The government regularly reviews the functioning of NDFDC to ensure its effectiveness in delivering services to Persons with Disabilities. These reviews have led to several new measures, including the reduction in interest rates and an expansion of loan limits, making it easier for PwDs to access the loans they need. The Board of Directors of NDFDC and third-party evaluations have been instrumental in shaping these improvements. These steps indicate the government’s long-term commitment to the financial and social empowerment of Divyangjans.
