 SOCIAL WELFARE AND EDUCATION OF
 THE HANDICAPPED AND THE
 DISPLACED

Central Social Welfare Board

Provision of a sum of Rs. 175 lakhs was made in the budget for 1958-59 and of a sum of Rs. 200 lakhs in the budget for the current financial year. Revised budget estimates for the current financial year are Rs. 188:19 lakhs. Grants amounting to Rs. 199:88 have been given to the Board from January, 1959, to December, 1959.

During the year under review, the Board assisted 2,130 voluntary organisation working in the different fields of social welfare. The assistance given to these organisations amounted to Rs. 47.35 lakhs. A further sum of Rs. 3.08 lakhs was given for the construction, of buildings for 108 project centres.

During this year, the Board established 169 projects of the co- ordinated pattern bringing the total number of Welfare Extension Projects in the country to, 673. The total share of the Board's expenditure on these projects amounted to Rs. 77:21 lakhs. A sum of Rs. 8:15 lakhs was spent during this year on the Board's training programme. 810 gram sevikas, 76 mukhya sevikas, 25 midwives, 120 dais, 211 ambar charkha instructors and 63 handicraft trainees are under training.

Under after care programmes sponsored by the Board 9 State Homes, 14 District Shelters and 11 Production Units were sanctioned.

Provision of a sum of Rs. 312. 13 lakhs has been made in the budget for the year 1960-61. The major items of expenditure are given below:-

                                          
         
                       Item                            Estimated expenditure
                                                          (Rs. in Lakhs)
        
                                          
        
             Grants-in-aid to voluntary institutions           100.00
        
             Grants to Welfare Extension Projects              130.00
             
             Grants to States Social Welfare Boards              5.00
             
             New Schemes                                        40.00
             
             Grants to building Projects                        15.00
             
             T. A. to members, officers and staff               80.00
             
             Training Schemes                                    8.00

Foreign Aid Under T.C.M. Programme O.A. No. 44-Social Welfare Edu- cation

Under the main agreement of O.A. No. 44, dealing with, the development of Social Welfare Education in India, seven Social Welfare Experts

were to work in various schools of social work of recent origin in India. Six of them left prior to January, 1959, after completing assignments. One of them Miss N. Hartman, is still working at the Institute of Social Sciences, Kashi Vidyapeeth. She will work at the Institute up to May 1960. The total estimated cost of the project under this agreemnet is $380,780. Out of this $3,24,400. is for experts, $40,500 for participants and $15,880 is for commodities. Provision for advanced training of six Indian participants in Modern Social Work Techniques existed under this agreement. Four of them have since returned to India after completing their training.

Under the supplemental agreement dated 14th May, 1959, three more experts are to work in three schools of social work, one of whom, Mr. Richard John Parvis, has started work at the Lucknow University. Two of them are expected to join the Madras School of Social Work on 31st December, 1959, and all these three will work in India at the above institutions for,two years. The total extended aid provided in this supplemental agreement is $195,475. Out of this $175,000 is for experts, $15,975 for participants and $4,500 for commodities. Provision for having 3 more participants exists under this supplemental agreement.

Research in Social Welfare.-The object of this scheme is to encourage the non-university institutions to carry out research in social fields approved by the Advisory Board on Social Welfare. All applications are scrutinised by a sub-committee of the Advisory Board on Social Welfare. All reports of completed projects are also scrutinised by the same committee. Periodical reports on the progress of schemes are called for. Grants are released in instalments after taking into account the progress of the aided school. Audited statements of accounts are also examined in order to ascertain whether the funds are utilised properly for the approved purpose.

Grants amounting to Rs. 9,600 were given to three institutions during the period under review. Provision of a sum of Rs. 40,000 exists in the budget for 1959-60 for this scheme. This has been revised to Rs. 20,000. Provision of a sum of Rs. 40,000 has been made in the next year's budget.

Financial Assistance to Voluntary Organizations for Child Welfare-

Grants under this scheme are given through, State Governments who initially scrutinise the applications and certify whether the institutions can make a signaficant contribution in the field. After the grants are given, periodical progress reports are called for and the audited statements of accounts are received through State Governments who satisfy themselves about the progress made. During, the period under review, grants amounting to Rs. 68,580 have been sanctioned to three instituions. Provision of

a sum of Rs. 1,41,000 was made in the budget for 1959-60 for this scheme. This has however, been revised to Rs. 40,000. Provision of a sum of Rs. 1,00,000 has 'been made in the budget for 1960-61.

Ad hoc Grants to Institutions Conducting Training and Research in Social Welfare and Institutions for the Handicapped.

-During the period under review grants amounting to Rs. 1,38,000 have been given to seven institutions. Provision of a sum of Rs. 3,50,000 was made in the budget for 1959-60 for this scheme. This has however, been revised to Rs. 2,00,000 Provision of a sum of Rs. 2,00,000 has been made ha the budget for 1960-61.

EDUCATION OF THE HANDICAPPED

Model School for Blind Children.

-At present only the kindergarten and primary sections of the school have been opened. There is accommodation for, fifty children who are provided free board, lodging, clothes and tuition. Next year it is proposed to expand the school to provide accommodation for 75 children, to make arrangements for education up to the eight class and to add the teachers' training department.

Since the expansion of the school has been postponed to the next year, the original provision of Rs. 1,47,000 in this year's budget has been revised to Rs. 97,000. Provision of a sum of Rs. 1,16,860 has been made in the budget for 1960-61.

The Sheltered Workshop for the Blind.

- This workshop functions as part of the Training Centre for the Adult Blind, Dehra Dun,and provides remunerative employment to five blind weavers and five blind chair caners. The revised provision in the budget for 1959-60 for the administration and expansion of the workshop, is Rs. 40,000. Provision of a sum of Rs. 50,000 is being made for this scheme in the budget for 1960-61 towards the expansion of the workshops.

Workshop for the Manufacture of Braille Appliances.

- The workshop is attached to the Central Braille Press, Debra Dun and produces educational and recreational appliances for the blind.

The revised provision in the budget for 1959-60 is Rs.25,000. Provision of a sum of Rs. 50,000 has been made for 1960-61 towards the expansion of the workshop.

Women's Section of the Training Centre for the Adult Blind.

-During the current year a new building has been, hired for the Centre and it is proposed to provide accommodation for 35 trainees. Provision of a sum of Rs. 57,200 has been made for the section in the budget for 1960-61.

Post-School Scholarships for the Blind.

-Under this scheme, scholarships are given to blind persons over 16 years of age for higher education or for technical or professional training. At present 75 blind students are taking advantage of this scheme. 101 fresh awards have recently been made, bringing the total number of scholars to 176. The revised provision in the budget for 1959-60 is Rs. 54,000. Provision of a sum of Rs, 85,500 has been made, in the budget for 1960-61 for this scheme.

Scholarships for the Deaf

- Under this scheme, scholarships are given to deaf persons over 16 years of age for receiving education above the primary or middle standard or for technical or professional training. At present 102 deaf students are taking advantage of this scheme. Applications for fresh awards have been invited.

Since fresh awards could only be made towards the end of the year, the original provision of Rs. 65,000 in the budget for 1959-60 has been revised to Rs. 50,000. Provision of a sum of Rs. 73,000 has been made in the budget for 1960-61.

Scholarships for the Orthopaedically Handicapped.

-Under this scheme, scholarships are awarded to persons between 6 and 25 years of age for all stages of education and for technical professional training. 109 students are at present taking advantage of this scheme. Applications for fresh awards have been invited during the current year. Since fresh awards can only be made towards the end of the present financial year, the original provision of Rs. 50,000 has been revised to Rs. 41,000. Provision of a sum,of Rs. 60,000 has- been made in the budget for 1960-61 for this scheme.

Scholarships for mentally retarded children.

-It has been proposed to award scholarships under this scheme during 1960-61. Provision of a sum of Rs. 10 000 has been made in the budget for 1960- 61.

Employment Organisation for the Hadicapped.

-Under this scheme which was finalised in consultation with an I.L.O expert it is proposed to establish a network of special employment offices for the physically, handicapped as part of the National Employment Services. The first such office was established at Bombay in March 1959. There is at present a small employment office of the training Centre for the Adult Blind functioning at Madras. During the current financial year it is proposed to put this office on-the same basis its the one at Bombay.

The National Advisory Council for the Education of the Handicapped has suggested the establishment of three more offices by 1960-61. Provision, in the budget for 1960-61 is however, being made for the administration of three offices for the entire year.

The original provision of Rs. 49,800 in the budget for 1959-60 has been revised to Rs. 35,000 on account of the fact that a full fledged Employment Office at Madras is expected to start functioning only by the end of 1959-60. The provision in the budget for 1960-61 is Rs. 48,000.

Random Sample Surveys of the Handicapped.

-The object of these surveys is to get some idea of the incidence and needs of the handicapped. Such surveys are at present in progress in Delhi and Kanpur A survey is also expected to be conducted in a village near Nagpur during the current financial year.

During the next financial year, surveys, are expected to be carried out in four or five more areas.

The revised provision in the budget for 1959-60 is Rs. 25,000. Provision of a sum of Rs. 25,000 has been made in the next year's budget for this scheme.

Assistance to Voluntary Organisations for the Handicapped.

-Under this scheme assistance is given to institutions for the handicapped for developmental activities. Grants are given through State Governments who initially scrutinise applications and certify 'whether the institutions can make a significant contribution in the field. After the grants are, given periodical progress reports are called for and the audited state-ments of accounts are received through the State Governments who satisfy themselves about the progress made. Grants under this scheme are usually released in instalments in order to ensure that money is released only if the scheme is making satisfactory progress.

Provision of a sum of Rs. 3 lakhs exists in the' budget for 1959- 60 for this scheme. This has been revised to Rs. 2.50 lakhs. Provision of a sum of Rs. 5 lakhs has been made in the next 'year's budget.

The Training Centre for the Adult Blind,Dehra Dun.

-At present training in the Centre is imparted chiefly in cottage industries. Since training in cottage industries has not proved very profitable for the blind, steps are being taken to reorganise the training programme. This is a permanent organisation and standing charges are continually scrutinised with a view to economy. Since a number of posts remained vacant and since the Centre did not have the maximum number of trainees all the time, the original provision of Rs. 2,61,300 has been revised to 2,39,500. The next years provision is Rs. 2,689000.

Central Braille Press, Dehra Dun

The main feature of the programme of the Press until the end of the next financial year will be the introduction of a second shift in order to step up production.

Since the second shift can only start functioning towards the end of the financial year and since it has not been possible to import essential machinery for the press, the original provision of Rs. 1,32,000 in the budget for 1959-60 has been revised to Rs. 86,000. The next year's provision is Rs. 1,32,300.

Meetings of Committees on the Education of the Handicapped and Advisory Board on Social Welfare

Provision of a sum of Rs. 14,000 exists in the budget for 1959-60 meeting of committees on the education of the handicapped and social welfare. During the period under review one meeting each of the National Advisory Council for the Education of the Handicapped and the Advisory Board on Social Welfare was held.

The revised estimate for the current financial year is Rs. 10,500. The same amount has been provided in the budget for 1960-61.

Grant of Financial Assistance to Displaced Students from Pakistan

The work regarding (i) the. grant of financial assistance as direct aid to displaced students from West Pakistan (ii) the maintenance of Basic, post-Basic and high schools at Rajpura and Faridabad, and (iii) financial assistance to students belonging to indigent families displaced from West Pakistan, which was taken over from the Ministry of Rehabilitation in December, 1957, and March 1959, respectively, continues to be (lone by this Ministry. The work in regard to the first and third items continues to be the entire responsibility of this Ministry whereas the responsibility of the Ministry in regard to the second item of work is limited to the, extent of reimbursing the expenditure incurred by the Punjab Government on a certain percentage basis during the remaining part of the Second Plan period as the institutions Concerned have been transferred to the State Government.

The following funds have been provided for these items of work during the current and the next financial years:-

                                          
                                                        1959-60       1960-61 
                                                            (Rs.in Lakhs)
        
         
        (i) Direct aid to displaced students, 
        including financial assistance to destitute 
        children living in outside Home/Infirmaries       15.00         12.00
                          
        (ii) Educational arrangements at Rajpura and
        Faridabad.                                         3.55          1.78
        
        (iii) Financial assistance to students belonging 
        to indigent families displaced from West
        Pakistan                                           0.75          0.75

Another item of work, dealing with the grant of financial assistance to displaced students from East Pakistan, was also taken over by this Ministry from the Ministry of Rehabilitation in August last. The Scheme, in brief, is as follows:-

Up to the end of 1957-58, financial assistance in the shape of free-ships, book-grants and stipends was being sanctioned to eligible students by the State Governments concerned in accordance with the scales laid down by the Government of India in the form of a general scheme. At the conference of Rehabilitation Ministers held in October 1957, it was felt that the expenditure on education should not be allowed to increase progressively by mere counting of heads of displaced students but the extent of liability of the Central Government should be fixed. With a view to achieving this, it was decided that lump sum grants might be placed at the disposal of each State Government in succeeding financial years and that they might be allowed to utilise the funds for the grant of financial assistance according to, a policy framed by themselves within the overall pattern of the general scheme. It was also decided that the amount of lump sum grants might be reduced with the progressive settling down of displaced, persons, so that the gap between the displaced persons and others could be reduced so far as financial assistance was concerned. In the light of this decision, lump sum grants for the financial year 1958-59 were made to the various States and Tripura Administration on the basis of the actual expenditure incurred by them on the scheme during 1957-58. For succeeding financial years, the Ministry of Rehabilitation decided that the lump sum grants should be reduced by 20 per cent. each year so that the Central Government's liability 'may cease by 31st March, 1960. Thereafter, the displaced students would be treated on a par with the normal population of the various States in the matter of grant of financial assistance to them. The following funds have been provided during the remaining part of the Second Plan period:-

 
        
             1959-60                                      Rs. 62.78 lakhs
             1960-61                                      Rs. 47.50 lakhs

Indo-Pahistan Agreement on the Exchange of Educational Certificates between India and Pakistan

The difficulty over the exchange of educational certificates still continues. The total number of old and fresh applications of Indian nationals pending with the Pakistan Government at present is 296 and 821, respectively, against those of the Pakistani nationals numbering 441 up to date.

SOCIAL WELFARE AND EDUCATION OF THE HANDICAPPED AND THE DISPLACED