New Delhi : On Friday, 6th April 2018, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India issued an order to transfer the execution of around two decades old scheme “Integrating Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the mainstream of Technical and Vocational Education” to Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Through an official circular, Order F. No. F.No. 5-5/2016-TS-IV, P. Sasikumar, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development stated that I am directed to refer to the above matter and to say that in order to ensure convergence of all Central Skill Development Schemes in one Ministry, it has been decided to transfer the Scheme on “Integrating Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the mainstream of Technical and Vocational Education” to Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship w.e.f. this financial year.
An official notification in this regard was sent to the Directors of all four NITTTR Kolkata, Chandigarh, Bhopal and Chennai, Principals of all 50 Polytechnics implementing the scheme and other relevant departments.
About the Scheme : The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Integrating Persons With Disabilities in the Mainstream of Technical and Vocational Education was initiated by the MHRD, Govt of India during 2000. The scheme aims at providing equal opportunities to persons with disabilities [PWDs] in selected polytechnics across the country. 50 polytechnics were identified for implementing this social sector scheme. Each identified polytechnics is required to admit 25 PWD students in formal programmes every year and train 100 PWDs through non-formal skill development training programmes every year. The four NITTTRs act as a resource system ensuring effective implementation of the scheme in their respective regions. The progress of the scheme is monitored by the four NITTTRs and reported to the MHRD, Govt of India from time to time. The scheme has provided ample opportunities to PWDs who intend to pursue technical and vocational education in the institutions implementing the scheme. MHRD, Govt of India provides liberal financial assistance to PWDs admitted to formal and non-formal programmes under the scheme.
