STATEMENT SHOWING THE FACILITIES/ BENEFITS GIVEN TO SENIOR CITIZENS BY DIFFERENT MINISTRIES/ DEPARTMENTS

Statement showing the facilities benefits given to senior citizens by different Ministries / Departments Sl. No. Name of the Ministry/Department Facilities/Benefits given to Senior Citizens 1 Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is the nodal Ministry responsible for welfare of the Senior Citizens. It has announced the National Policy on Older Persons which seeks to assure older persons that their concerns are national concerns and they will not live unprotected, ignored and marginalized. The National Policy aims to strengthen their legitimate place in the society and to help older people to live the last phase of their life with purpose, dignity and peace. The National Policy on Older Persons inter alia visualizes support for financial security, health care and nutrition, shelter, emphasis upon education, training and information needs, provision of appropriate concessions, rebates and discounts etc. to Senior Citizens and special attention to protect and strengthen their legal rights such as to safeguard their life and property. The National Policy on Older Persons confers the status of senior citizen to a person who has attained the age of 60 years. The Ministry has also written to all the Ministries/State Governments concerned for adopting a uniform age of 60 years for conferring the status of senior citizen to a person and for extending facilites/concessions to them (copy at Annexure I) The Ministry is also implementing following schemes for the benefit of Senior Citizens: The Scheme of Assistance to Panchayati Raj Institutions/Voluntary Organisations/Self Help Groups for Construction of Old Age Homes/multi-service centres for older persons. Under this Scheme, one time construction grant for old age homes/multi-service centre is provided. An Integrated Programme for Older Persons has been formulated by revising the earlier scheme of “Assistance to Voluntary Organisations for Programmes relating to the Welfare of the Aged”. Under this Scheme, financial assistance upto 90% of the project cost is provided to NGOs for establishing and maintaining old age homes, day care centres, mobile medicare units and to provide non-institutional services to older persons. 2. Ministry of Rural Development Under the National Old Age Pension Scheme, Central Assistance of Rs. 75/- p.m. is granted to destitute older persons above 65 years. This Scheme has been transferred to the State Plan w.e.f. 2002-03. Under the Annapurna Scheme, free food grains (wheat or rice) upto 10 kg. per month are provided to destitute older persons 65 years or above who are otherwise eligible for old age pension but are not receiving it. 3 Ministry of Finance Section 88 of Finance Act, 1992, provides income tax rebate of upto Rs. 15,000 or actual tax whichever is less to senior citizens who have attained the age of 65 years at any time during the relevant previous year. Senior Citizens are excluded from “One by Six” scheme for filing the Income Tax Return under proviso Section 139(1). For Senior Citizen, the deduction in respect of medical insurance premia is upto Rs. 15,000/- under Section 80 D. RBI has permitted higher rates of interest on saving schemes of Senior Citizens (persons having the age of 65 years and above). Accordingly, w.e.f. 15.05.01, Banks permitted 0.5 per cent higher rate of interest on fixed deposits. Separate counters are marked for Senior Citizens at the time of filing the Income Tax Returns. Senior Citizens of the age of 65 year and above as on 31st March of the assessment year, must be a pensioner and should come personally, get priority while submitting their Income Tax Returns. Besides, on the spot assessment facility is also provided. 4 Ministry of Health & Family Welfare The Ministry (on request from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment) has issued instructions to all State Governments to provide for separate queues for older persons in hospitals for registration and clinical examination. 5 Ministry of Railways Indian Railways provide 30% concession in all classes and trains including Rajdhani/Shatabadi trains for both males and females aged 60 years and above. Indian Railways also have the facility of separate counters for Senior Citizens for purchase/booking/cancellation of tickets. 6 Ministry of Civil Aviation Indian Airlines/Jet Airways is providing 50 per cent discount on basic fare for all domestic flights in Economy Class to senior citizens having the age of 65years (men and women) Sahara India Airlines is providing 50 per cent discount on basic fare for all domestic flights in Economy Class to senior citizens having the age of 62years (men and women) 7 Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Reservation of two seats for senior citizens in front row of the buses of the State Road Transport Undertakings (ASTRU). 8 MCD, Delhi MCD, Delhi, has opened a separate counter for senior citizens for submission of property tax 1 9 Miscellaneous Telephone connection is given on priority to senior citizens of age 65 years and above by the Ministry of Telecommunications. On the request of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India has advised Chief Justices of all High Courts in the country to accord priority to cases involving older persons and ensure their expeditious disposal. BACK

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Leaves not a personal matter of an employee, should be disclosed...

Central Information Commission

Leaves availed during the service period are not personal and private matter of the employee and should be disclosed under the RTI Act, the CIC has held. "Leave taken by an employee from a public authority is a matter of exercise of the discretion vested in the public authority to grant such leave. There can be no bar on the disclosure of an information which is about how the public authority exercises its powers to grant leave to its employee," the CIC said in its ruling.

Information Commissioner A N Tiwari was hearing the plea of one Raj Kumar who sought information about the leave account of an employee of the New India Assurance Company Limited. The insurance company had rejected the application on the grounds that it was personal information of the employee, a third party, and could not be disclosed. "It cannot be said to be a personal or a private matter of that employee," Tiwari said directing the insurance company to disclose the information within two weeks of the receipt of the order.

Quota for Scouts, Guides and NCC cadets in group ‘D’ posts

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha...



There is no quota or bonus marks prescribed for recruitment of Scouts, Guides, NCC cadets and certificate holders of National Service Scheme (NSS) for recruitment to Group ‘D’ posts of Central Government.


There is no such proposal of fixing quota or bonus marks for NSS certificate holders, under consideration. However, a scheme exists in the Central Government for appointment of meritorious sports persons to Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ categories in the Civil Posts/Services.

Under this Scheme, the Ministries/Departments can appoint meritorious sports persons playing any of the 40 Games listed in the Scheme, to the extent of 5% of the direct recruitment vacancies to be filled in a year. This was stated by Shri Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

Government of India has introduced a new Scholarship scheme

DIRECTORATE OF GOVERNMENT EXAMINATIONS,

CHENNAI – 600 006.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education, Government of India has introduced a new Scholarship scheme titled “Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students”, which will be implemented from the financial year 2008-09. A certain number of Scholarships under this scheme have been ear-marked for the students who have secured 80% and above in the Higher Secondary Examination, March 2008 conducted by this department and pursuing higher studies.

The scholarship will be given @ Rs.1000/- per month at Graduation level for first three years of College and University courses and Rs.2000/- per month at Post graduation level. Students pursuing professional courses would get Rs.2000/- per month in the 4th and 5th year. The scholarship would be paid for 10 months in an academic year.

The award of scholarship shall be subject to the following conditions:

1. The scholarship shall be awarded to the Indian nationals only.

2. The Undergraduate/Post graduate/Professional course are pursued in a recognized college/institution in India.

3. The student should have scored a minimum 80% of marks in the Higher Secondary Examinations, March 2008 conducted by the State Board of School Examinations, TamilNadu, Chennai – 6.

4. The students should belong to non-creamy layer as defined by the Department of Personnel and Training in their Notification No.36012/22/93-Estt. (SCT), dated 08.11.1993 and as modified vide their OM No.36033/3/2004-Estt.(Res) dated 09.03.2004 and as may be further modified from time to time and not availing of any other scholarship scheme.

5. The reservation would be applicable in terms of Central Reservation Policy and internal ear-marking.

6. The scholarship will be distributed amongst Pass outs of the Science, Commerce and Humanities Streams in the ratio of 3:2:1 with equal number among boys and girls. Depending on the number of scholarship allotted to this Board, candidates who have secured the cut - off marks (as per the table below) in the Higher Secondary Course Certificate Examination, March 2008 conducted by the State Board of School Examinations, Tamil Nadu are being provisionally considered for award of “Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students”.

Group Code Numbers	Sex	Category
-	-	SC	ST	OBC	OC
Science Group From 101 to 208	Boys	1070	960	1130	1140
	Girls	1070	960	1130	1140
Commerce Group From 301 to 308	Boys	980	960	1130	1160
	Girls	1030	960	1085	1110
History Group From 401 to 406	Boys	960	960	960	960
	Girls	960	960	960	960
Vocational Group From 701 to 733	Boys	1051	960	1070	1083
	Girls	1073	960	1091	1102

The filled-in applications (Annexure III to V the formats of which are available in this website) should be submitted to the Joint Director (Hr.Sec.), Directorate of Government Examinations, DPI Campus, College Road, Chennai – 6 on or before 28.01.2009 either by Registered/Speed Post or in person. Needless to mention that this is a provisional offer only and final selection will depend on the student satisfying the eligibility criteria and number of scholarships ear-marked for this Board. Director of Government Examinations, Chennai – 6.

Holiday Homes

Online Bookings of Ministry of Urban Development Holiday Homes

The Ministry of Urban Development has launched the online booking facility in the Ministry of Urban Development Holiday Homes for the Central Government employees. This was formally launched by Shri R.C. Mishra, Additional Secretary, of the Ministry of Urban Development, here today.

Ministry of Urban Development has Holiday Homes at 10 locations and Touring Officers.Hostels at 30 odd locations all over India. The conventional method of booking of accommodation in these Guest Houses was time consuming and the facility was not accessible to a large section of the Central Government employees, posted all over the country.

The new user-friendly system shall enable the Central Government employees - To apply online for booking of rooms in these Holiday Homes and Touring Officers¡¦ Hostels; To know the status of their applications online; and To obtain Confirmation Slips online. With the installation of online booking facility, the Serving and retired Central Government employees will now be able to avail of this facility at their doorstep through the internet portal of the Directorate of Estates (www.estates.nic.in).

Initially, the internet booking facility has been launched for Holiday Home at Mussurie. In due course, this would be extended to other Holiday Homes and Touring Officers¡¦ Hostels under Ministry of Urban Development. The Ministry of Urban Development is negotiating with the bank for making payment through Debit/Credit cards.

Till that time the existing mode of payment through Demand draft will be adhered for advance reservation of rooms. The software for this purpose has been developed by the National Informatics Centre.

Ministry of Urban Development has many other projects in pipeline for establishing new Holiday Homes at Hyderabad, Port Blair, Chandigarh, Udaipur, Jaipur, Mount Abu, etc. for the welfare of the Central Government employees. With the streamlining of the mode of booking, the Ministry anticipates that a large number of Government employees would be benefited.

Natural Calamity Advance

Flood Advance for CG employees in TamilNadu


Last month, Cyclone ‘Nisha’ hit the state of TamilNadu and it brought heavy rains for one week which resulted in floods all over the state. It affected the normal life of the people largely in the coastal districts and lots of damage was done there. The TamilNadu government announced the districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Trichy and some other parts as flood hit areas.
After this, various central government employees unions demanded flood relief to the affected employees. The unions pointed out that as per 6th CPC, flood advance was hiked up to two times of the previous amount and demanded Rs.5000 to be paid as advance to the employees.
In the year 2006, Rs.2500 was paid as flood advance to the central government employees (who were working in affected areas) after a cyclone hit the state of TamilNadu. The amount was recovered at Rs. 100 per month for 25 months.

Now the central government employees in TamilNadu are in high expectation that they will be paid Rs. 5000 as flood advance as soon as possible.

20% Discount for C G Employees

BROADBAND SERVICE WITH DISCOUNT OF 20% FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

BSNL has announced a colorful message for Central Government Employees that Discount up to 20% (usage and rental) from the usage of Broadband service charges and the scheme is launched from 1 – December – 2008.
This discount scheme is offered to existing Broadband users also. Those employees has to submit bonafide certificate to concerned BSNL Offices to get 20% discount from the December 2008 bill.
This scheme is serving and retired central government employees, asking for Broadband service under this discount scheme should furnish a bonafide certificate attach with their Broadband Connection application. The bonafide certificate should get from their concerned department’s head of sections.
In case of retired employees, should be attached an attested copy of the Pension Pay Order along with their application. “For Government Employee Scheme” is to be marked in application.

Concessions and Facilities for Disabled Employees

Concessions and Facilities Provided by Central Government

The Central Government have provided some facilities and concessions for the benefit of disabled people to integrate them into the mainstream. The facilities and concessions are:

1. Scheme of Integrated Education

2. Job Reservation in Government Sector

3. Economic Assistance

4. Welfare Schemes

5. Travel Concessions

Schemes for Integrated Education:
The scheme of Integrated Education for the Disabled Children (IEDC) is a Centrally sponsored scheme and is being implemented by the Department of Secondary and Higher Education under the Ministry of Human Resource Development since 1982. Under this scheme, children with disabilities are encouraged to be integrated in the normal school system.

States and Union Territories (UTs) are provided assistance for education of the children with disabilities in general schools. The assistance provided includes the provision of necessary aids, incentives and specially trained teachers. A three- member team comprising of a doctor, a psychologist and a special educator is formed for assessment of the disability among school going children. The target groups covered under this scheme includes:

1. Children with locomotor handicaps (Orthopaedically Handicapped (O.H.))

2. Mildly and moderately hearing impaired.

3. Partially sighted children.

4. Mentally handicapped-educable group (IQ 50-70)

5. Children with multiple disabilities (visual and orthopaedic impairment; hearing and orthopaedic impairment; educable mentally retarded and orthopaedic impairment; visual and mild hearing impairment)

6. Children with learning disabilities.


The following monetary allowances are permitted for the disabled children under this scheme:

Books and Stationery allowance of Rs.400/- per annum.

Uniform allowance of Rs.50/-per annum.

Transport allowance of Rs.50/- per month (if a disabled child admitted under the scheme resides is in a hostel of the school within the school premises, no transportation charges would be admissible).

Reader allowance of Rs.50/- per month in case of blind children after class V.
Escort allowance for severely handicapped children with lower extremity disabilities @ Rs.75/- per month.

Actual cost of equipment subject to a maximum of Rs.2000/- per student for a period of five years.

Other Concessions:


1. In the case of severe degree of orthopaedically handicapped children, it may be necessary to allow one attendant for 10 children in a school. The attendant may be given the standard scale of pay prescribed for Group D employees in the State/U.T. concerned.

2. Disabled children residing in hostels within the same school where they are studying may get boarding & lodging charges as admissible under the state government regulations. In case there is no state scheme of awarding scholarship to such hostel residents, then each one of them is eligible to receive the actual boarding & lodging charges subject to a maximum of Rs.200/- per month. This allowance does not apply if the income of the parents exceed Rs.3000/- p.m.

3. Severe orthopaedically handicapped children residing in school hostels may need a helper or an Ayah. A special pay of Rs.50/- p.m. is admissible to any employee of the hostel willing to extend such help to the children in addition to the usual duties.

4. If there are at least 10 handicapped children enrolled in a school located in a rural area, then an allowance of Rs.300/-p.m. is allowed so as to meet the expenses of their free transportation by a rickshaw. This allowance also covers the capital cost of the rickshaw and labour charges of rickshaw puller. No individual transport allowance is then admissible for the students.

5. Grant of education allowance to the children &reimbursement of the tuition fee for Central Government employees will be governed by the Central Civil Services (Education Assistance) Orders, 1988. Under this order, the reimbursement of tuition fee in respect of physically handicapped and mentally retarded children of the Central government employees has been enhanced to Rs.50 p.m. (from class I to XII) in comparison to the general category where it is only Rs.20.p.m. The disabled children will, however, get other assistance under this scheme as per rates prescribed for the normal children



Scholarships/ Fellowships for Disabled Persons:

Scholarships for disabled persons from class IX onwards have been transferred to state and union territory administration. The scholarships under this scheme are limited to a maximum period of 6 years after class XII. Income limit of parents/ guardians of the candidates should not be more than Rs. 2000 per month. In addition to monthly scholarships the candidates are also eligible to receive Readers Allowance.

The University Grants Commission has reserved 1% of the fellowships allocated to the universities for the handicapped.

Job Reservation in Government Sector under PWD Act- 1995. Since 1977 Government establishments are providing 3% reservation for the disabled in respect of Group C and Group D posts. After the enactment of the PWD Act, this reservation has also been extended in Group A and B identified posts. Identification of posts for persons with disabilities in all four groups has already been done in 1986 by the central government.
A committee was set up to modify the identification of posts in view of the PWD Act 1995. Identification of the posts has been completed. As per the order of government of India, reservation of 3% in jobs has been made in the identified posts for the physically handicapped persons in all the four Grades. One percent jobs each has been reserved for blind, deaf and orthopaedically handicapped. For effective implementation of the reservation it has been advised to maintain a roaster of vacancies arising on a yearly basis.
In this way every Ist, 34th & 67th vacancy is earmarked for the disabled in the cycle of 100 vacancies. A Committee has already identified appropriate posts for the physically disabled. The other concessions include.

In order to implement these reservations without loss of productivity, some posts are identified disability wise.

Disabled persons recruited for regional Grade C and Grade D posts may be given their posting (as far as possible) near their native place in that region subject to the administrative constraints. PH employees may be given preference in transfer near their native place.
The ban on filling up of non-operational vacant posts will not be applicable for reserve vacancies to be filled up by PH persons. If a reserve category of person is not available and the nature of vacancy in an office is such, it may be carried forward for a period of three subsequent years.

It has been instructed that recaning of chairs in government offices should be reserved for blind persons as far as possible. When the volume of work require a full time chair caner then a suitable post may be created in consultation with the finance department.
For the purpose of recaning the chairs in government offices, vocational rehabilitation centres and special employment exchange for the PH persons may be contacted. All the vacancies irrespective of their nature and duration are to be notified to the employment exchange and required to be filled through this agency unless they are filled through UPSC/SSC.
It has also been decided that all of the appointees should send their request to Employment Exchange/Special Employment Exchange/nearest Vocational Rehabilitation Centres for P.H. for nominating suitably handicapped persons to fulfil specific opportunities.
Extension of the age concession/ relaxation upwards by 10 years in favour of handicapped persons. This applies to posts filled through the SSC and through Employment Exchange.

Physically Handicapped persons who are otherwise eligible for appointment to posts of Lower Division Clark but cannot be so appointed due to their inability to satisfy the typing qualifications may be exempted from this requirement.


Physically Handicapped persons recruited to Grade. B and Grade. C posts advertised by the UPSC and SSC will be exempted from the payment of application and examination fee as prescribed by UPSC/SSC. Physically Handicapped persons with disability of upper or lower extremities are to be grated conveyance allowance at 5% of basic pay. Under the All India Service (Special Disability Leave) Regulation, 1957, special leave may be granted to a member of the service employee who suffers a disability as a result of risk of office or special risk of office. The special leave is subject to certain conditions.



Other Benefits:

Air Travel Concessions Indian Airlines allow 50% concession fares to blind persons on single journeys. Postage Payment of postage, both inland and foreign, for transmission by post of 'Blind Literature' packets is exempted if sent by surface route. Customs/Excise Braille paper has been exempted from excise and customs duty provided the paper is supplied direct to a school for the blind or to a Braille press against an indent placed by the National Institute for the Visually Handicapped, Dehradun.
All audiocassettes recorded with material from books, newspapers or magazines for the blind are exempt from custom duty. Several other items have also been exempted from customs duty if imported for the use of a disabled person.
Conveyance Allowance All central government employees who are blind or orthopedically handicapped are granted conveyance at 5 per cent of basic pay subject to a maximum of Rs. 100 per month.
Educational Allowance Reimbursement of tuition fee of physically and mentally handicapped children of the Central government employees has been enhanced to Rs. 50/-.


Rate of Interest:

Keeping in view the social objective the interest will uniformly be charged 4% p.a. Physically Handicapped persons are eligible under DRI scheme for loan to purchase artificial limbs, hearing aids, wheelchairs etc., subject to maximum of Rs. 2500/- per borrower provided such assistance is given alongwith the advances for productive activities and self employment ventures and all other requirements under DRI scheme are fulfilled.

Under the scheme of “Financing Small Scale Industries”, a special provision has been made to allow concession of ?% in the interest to the physically handicapped availing working capital limit above Rs.2500/- and upto Rs. 2 lakhs.


Income Tax Concession :

The amount of deduction from total income of a person with blindness, mental retardation or permanent physical disability has been increased to Rs. 40,000/-.


80DD (Deductions in respect of medical treatment, etc., of handicapped persons):Where an assessee who is resident in India, being an individual of a Hindu Undivided family has, during the previous year, included any expenditure for the medical treatment (including nursing), training and rehabilitation of a person who:

is a relative of the individual or, as the case may be, is a member of the Hindu undivided family and is not dependent on any person other than such individual or Hindu undivided family for his support or maintenance, and is suffering from a permanent physical disability (including blindness) or is subject to mental retardation, being a permanent physical disability or mental retardation specified in the rules made in this behalf by the Board, which is certified by a physician, a surgeon, an oculist or a psychiatrist, as the case be, working in a government hospital, and which has the effect of reducing considerably such person's capacity for normal work or engaging in a gainful employment or occupation.

The assessee shall, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this
section, be allowed a deduction of a sum of Rupees fifteen thousand only (Rs. 15,000/-) in respect of the previous year.Explanation: for the purpose of this section, "Government Hospital" includes a departmental dispensary whether full time or part time established and run by a Department of the Government for the medical attendance and treatment of a class or classes of Government Servants and members of their families, a hospital maintained by the local authority and any other hospital which arrangements have been made by the Government for the treatment of Government servants.


80 DDA (Deduction in respect of deposit made for maintenance of handicapped dependent):

1. In computing the total income of an assessee who is resident in India, being an individual or a hindu undivided family, there shall be deduction, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this section, an amount not exceeding twenty thousand rupees (Rs.20,000) paid or deposited by him in the previous year out of his income chargeable to tax, under any scheme framed in this behalf by the Life Insurance Corporation or the Unit Trust of India subject to the conditions specified in sub-section (2) and approved by the board in this behalf.

2. The deduction under sub-section (94) shall be allowed only if the following conditions are fulfilled, namely:

3. The scheme referred to in sub-section (1) provided for payment of annunity or lump sum amount for the benefit of a handicapped dependant in the event of the death of the individual or the member of the Hindu undivided family in whose name subscription to the scheme has been made;

4. The assessee nominates either the handicapped dependant or any other person or a trust to receive the payment on his behalf, or the benefit of the handicapped dependent.

5. If the handicapped dependant predeceases the individual or the Hindu undivided family referred to in sub section (2), an amount equal to the amount paid or deposited under sub-section (1) shall be deemed to be the income of the assessee of the previous year in which such amount is received by the assessee and shall accordingly be chargeable to tax as the income of that previous year.

6. In this section:

7. "Government hospital" shall have the meaning assigned to it in the explanation to section 80 DD;

8. "Handicapped dependent" shall mean a person who is a relative of the individual or, as the case may be, is a member of the Hindu undivided family and is not dependant on any person other than such individual or Hindu undivided family for his support or maintenance; and who is suffering from a permanent physical disability(including blindness) or is subject to mental retardation, being a permanent physical disability or mental retardation specified in the rules made by the Board for the purposes of section 80DD, which is certified by a physician, a surgeon, an oculist or a psychiatrist, as the case may be, working in a Government hospital, and which has the effect of refusing considerably such persons capacity for normal work or engaging in a gainful employment or occupation.

"Life Insurance Corporation" shall have the same meaning as in clause (iii) of sub section of section 88.
"Unit Trust of India" means The Unit Trust of India established under the Unit Trust of India Act, 1963 (52 of 1963).



80 DDB (Deduction in respect of medical treatment etc):
Where an assessee who is resident in India has, during the previous year, incurred any expenditure for the medical treatment of such disease or ailment as may be specified in the rules "made in this behalf by the Board.

for himself or a dependent relative, in case the assessee is an individual or
for any member of a Hindu undivided family, in case the assessee is a Hindu undivided family, the assessee shall be allowed a deduction of a sum of rupees fifteen thousand rupees only (Rs. 15,000) in respect of that previous year in which such expenditure was incurred:

Provided that no such deduction shall allowed unless the assessee furnishes a certificate in such form 66b and from such authority as may be prescribed 66c Explanation - For the purpose of this section, "dependent" means a person who is not dependent for his support or maintenance on any person other than the assessee.



80U (Deduction in respect of permanent disability (including blindness) :

In computing the total income of an individual, being a resident, who, at the end of the previous year is suffering from a permanent physical disability or mental retardation specified in the rules made in this behalf by the board, which is certified by a physician, a surgeon, an oculist or a psychiatrist, as the case may be, working in a Government hospital, and which has the effect of reducing considerably such individual's capacity for normal work or engaging in a gainful employment or occupation, they shall be allowed a deduction of a sum of forty thousand rupees (Rs.40,000).

Provided that such individual produces the aforesaid certificate before the Assessing Officer in respect of the first assessment year for which he claims deduction under this section:

Provided further that the requirment of producing the aforesaid certificate from a physician, a surgeon, an oculist or a psychiatrist, as the case may be, working in a Government hospital shall not apply to an individual who has already a certificate before the Assessing Officer under the provisions of this section as they stood immediately before the 1st day of April,1992.

Explanation : For the purposes of this section, the expression "Government hospital" shall have the meaning assigned to it in the explanation to section 80DD.


88B (Rebate of Income tax in case of individuals of 65 years and above):

An assesse, being an individual resident in India, who is of the age of sixty five years or more at any time during the previous year and whose gross total income does not exceed one hundred and twenty thousand rupees, shall be entitled to a deduction from the amount of income tax (as computed before allowing the deductions under this Chapter) on his total income with which he is chargeable for any assessment year, of amount equal to 40% of such income-tax.

Explanation: For the purposes of this section a, "Gross total income" means the total income computed in accordance with the provisions of this Act, before making any deduction under Chapter VI-A.

The following section 88B shall be substituted for the existing section 88B by the Finance Act, 1997, w.e.f. 1.4.1998;


88B (Rebate of income tax in case of individuals of 65 years and above) :

An Assessee, being an individual resident in India, who is of the age of sixty-five years or more at any time during the previous year shall be entitled to a deduction from the amount of income tax (as computed before allowing the deductions under this Chapter) on his total income, with which he is chargeable for any assessment year, of an amount equal to hundred per cent of such income tax or an amount of ten thousand rupees only (Rs.10,000), whichever is less.

Posting Candidates with Physical handicaps, appointed on a regional basis be given as far as possible, appointments as close to their native place. Economic Assistance by Public Sector Banks All orphanages, homes for women and persons with physical handicaps as well as institutions working for the welfare of the handicapped, are given loans and advances at very low rates of interest (4% under DRI) and a subsidy of 50% up to a maximum of Rs. 5,000/- is also admissible.

State Governments/Union Territories also give concessions/facilities such as reservation in jobs, scholarships, old age pension, free travel in buses, etc.





Funding scheme for special schools A grant-in-aid scheme for voluntary organisations to develop institutes that serve to provide educational and social oppurtunities for persons with disability.
Special Employment Exchanges for the Physically Handicapped is set up in all State Capitals and Special cells for the handicapped is set up in district head quarters through which circulation of vacancies for the handicapped in Group “C” and “D” posts of state/central Govt. is made.

Handicapped who register for employment with special employment Exchange/ special cell will be intimated of the vacancy and sponsored for interview/selection etc. Where there are no special employment exchanges for the handicapped, the special cells for the handicapped are established in the Employment Exchanges.

Handicapped can avail the benefit through registering at this centers. Also there are Vocational Rehabilitation Centres established in 17 places through out the country who also registers such cases for employment. Hence all the handicapped shall register their names with such centers for employment.


QUANTUM OF RESERVATION
Reservation for the Persons with Disabilities

Three percent of the vacancies in case of direct recruitment to Group A, B, C & D posts shall be reserved for persons with disabilities of which one per cent each shall be reserved for persons suffering from

(i) blindness or low vision,


(ii) hearing impairment and


(iii) locomotor disability or cerebral palsy in the posts identified for each disability;

Three percent of the vacancies in case of promotion to Group D, and Group C posts in which the element of direct recruitment, if any, does not exceed 75%, shall be reserved for persons with disabilities of which one per cent each shall be reserved for persons suffering from

(i) blindness or low vision,

(ii) hearing impairment and

(iii) locomotor disability or cerebral palsy in the posts identified for each disability.

Reimbursement-Train Tickets Booking

Reimbursement of charges for train tickets booking through
“Internet” for railway journeys undertaken for official purpose/LTC.

The Indian Railways have introduced booking of railway tickets through
“Internet” and a number of representations from different Ministries received
in this Ministry to extend this facility to Government Employees while
undertaking official journey / LTC.

Reimbursement of charges for booking of rail tickets through
Internet / e-ticketing, booked through the website of Indian Railways,
may be allowed only for Railway journeys undertaken for official tours and LTC.

More details:
http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_expenditure/index.html