As per Census 2011, the figures about PwDs in Punjab are as follows:

Table: Figures about PwDs in Punjab as per Census 2011

Sr. No. Details Amount
1 Total Population of the State 277.43 lac
2 Physically Handicapped/Disabled Persons Population 6.54 lac
3 Percentage to Total Population 2.35%

There are 6,54,043 disabled persons in the state as per Census 2011. Out of these 3,76,087 disabled persons in the State are issued the disability certificates. During year 2016-2017, a total number of 57,713 disability certificates were issued.

The Government of Punjab has made the following provisions for betterment and welfare of the disabled:

  1. All children born in Govt. Hospitals, Homes, enrolled in Anganwari Centres in a year and all school children are regularly provided health check up under school health programme. Disabled children are identified and referred to hospitals for further management. Early Intervention Centers have been constructed in five districts i.e. Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Rupnagar, and Tarn Taran. Special medical and Health Education camps are organized from time to time in which people are educated about general hygiene, sanitation and preventive measures such as role of vaccines in preventing diseases, role of nutrition, iron and folic acid (IFA)during pregnancy, role of iodized salt, Vitamin A etc.
  2. There are 96,186 differently abled children below 18 year of age studying in schools. Differently abled children are paid scholarship @ Rs. 200/- p.m. up to 8th class and Rs. 300/- up to 12th class. The State Govt. provides free education to disabled children upto 12th standard.
    • Braille Press is set up at Jamalpur in Ludhiana where Braille books upto 10th standard, as per PSEB syllabus, are printed and are supplied free of cost to the blind students. A Govt. Institution for Blind is running at Jamalpur where 60 students including 32 boys and 28 girls are studying upto10th standard with facility of free boarding and lodging including free books.
    • To provide skill training, there are 3 Vocational Rehabilitation Centres at Bathinda, Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana where differently abled persons are trained in trades of Computer, Stitching and Tailoring, Embroidery and Stenography. In addition to it a NGO namely Sarthak Educational Trust has been roped in to provide skill training to differently abled persons in the State.
    • A special employment exchange is established at Ludhiana for PwDs, where 776 unemployed PwDs are registered. An unemployment allowance of Rs. 450/- per month to those who have qualification upto 12th standard and Rs. 600/- per month to those who have the qualification above the 12th standard is provided. The unemployment allowance is given after 2 years from the date of registration, if they don’t get employment.
    • In the Urban Development department, there is provision of 3% reservation in allotment of plots/flats in addition to 5% rebate in price of plot. Also, 3% reservation is given in allotment of booths in Rehari markets.
    • The differently abled persons are being extended benefit of Rural Development schemes like IAY, MGNREGA and state rural livelihood mission. They are extended such benefit under the provision of 3% quota for them.
    • The differently abled persons are provided a monthly financial assistance of Rs. 500/- by the State Govt. in addition to Rs. 300/- p.m by Govt. of India. There are 1.49 Lacs differently abled persons getting this benefit in the State.
    • The disabled persons are entitled to 50% bus fare concession in Govt. buses and the visually impaired can travel free of cost.
    • The differently abled persons are given reservation @ 3% in Govt. Jobs in all groups. They are entitled for 10 years age relaxation for appointment in Govt. jobs.
    • The State Govt. has already identified 1,647 vacant posts in Group A, B, C and D through special drive for which recruitment process is in progress.
    • The State Govt. has allocated 10 acres of land at Zirakpur to set up a Centre for Disabilities Sports. Another 5 acres of land is being located to establish Composite Regional Centre for differently abled persons. In the meantime, a built up area of 4,000 Sq. ft in PUNWAC building situated in Mohali has already been earmarked to run the Composite Regional Centre till its own building is constructed on 5 acres of land.
    • The State Govt. has set up 3 Community Homes for Mentally Retarded Persons at Ludhiana, Amritsar and Rajpura where the inmates are provided free accommodation ,health care and education provided the income of their parents/guardians income does not exceed Rs. 36,000/- per annum.
    • The State Govt. has set up a Spinal Injuries Centre in 5 acres at Sector 70, Mohali with an expenditure of Rs.15.50 Crores. It provides treatment, spinal surgery besides physiotherapy and indoor rehabilitation to parabolic patients. So far 1,67,419 patients have been treated which includes 72,295 patients treated through physiotherapy and 988 have under gone spinal operations.