Approximately 47,307 individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, and other intellectual disabilities have registered for the Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme, which has been operational for the past three years, the Government told Parliament on Wednesday.
This initiative is part of the National Trust, which was established under the National Trust Act of 1999 to improve the well-being of people with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and multiple impairments. The scheme seeks to offer affordable and all-encompassing health insurance coverage for individuals with these conditions, said Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, BL Verma, in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha..
“In the financial year 2024-25, a total of 47,307 individuals with autism and cerebral palsy have joined the Niramaya health insurance scheme so far,” he added.
For the year 2023-24, the government allocated and utilized Rs 13.87 crore for the scheme, while Rs 18.14 crore was spent in 2022-23. Additionally, Rs 11.38 crore was allocated and utilized in 2021-22, the Minister further said.
Moreover, Verma highlighted that Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) can also benefit from the central government’s flagship health program, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
AB PM-JAY offers health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalizations. The scheme is available to around 55 crore beneficiaries, covering 12.37 crore families from the economically disadvantaged 40% of India’s population.
“Regarding the inclusion of PwDs under AB PM-JAY, it is important to note that the scheme’s beneficiaries are identified from poor and vulnerable families through the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC-2011). The SECC-2011 incorporates specific criteria for rural areas, one of which is having a ‘disabled member and no able-bodied adult member,’” Verma explained.
