Universal identity cards to be issued to all disabled, says govt

Card will be linked with Aadhar card and data will be available online, the minister said

A universal identity card, to be accepted by Central and state governments, will be issued to all disabled to help them avail various welfare schemes and quota, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawarchand Gehlot said on Tuesday.

As per 2011 census there were 2.68 crore disabled in the country, but so far there is no proper identity document for them, he said in Lok Sabha.

"We are planning to distribute the universal identity card to all disabled persons in the country. The card will help the persons with disabilities to avail all government schemes and reservation. These cards will be recognisable by all the states," Gehlot said during Question Hour.

The card will be linked with the Aadhar card and the data will be available online to ensure transparency, he said.

Under the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme, 371 special schools across the country were provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs 31.31 crore.