Infographic | Budget: A look at fund allocation for differently-abled persons

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is all set to present the Union Budget 2023 on February 1 and industries as well as the middle class are hoping that the Modi government loosens its purse strings. Those expecting doles and an increase in allocation also includes differently-abled persons. The Budget allocation for the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) has seen a marginal increase over the last five years – barring the 2020-21 Budget, which saw a dip.

As per the 2011 census, 2.1 per cent of India's population (about 2.68 crore people) are differently-abled. The number, in recent years, is estimated to be much higher.

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In 2022-23, Rs 1212.41 crore was allocated to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), compared to Rs 1171.76 crore in the previous year. The DEPwD revised the Budget for 2021-2022 to Rs 1044.31 crore. The actual expenditure for 2020-21 stood at Rs 852.52 crore. 

Here is a look at Budget allocation to DEPwD over last five years:

The decline in spending by the department over the years comes despite the community being vocal about the lack of accessibility for differently-abled persons to public spaces. In 2021, several disability rights NGOs expressed disappointment over differently-abled people being "neglected" in the Union Budget year after year.

“Every year, the disability sector sends its asks to the Government of India but again these asks were not even mentioned,” Arman Ali, executive director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) had said.

In the run up to Union Budget 2023, organisations have been pushing for a hike in fund allocation towards differently-abled persons.

Disability rights groups and organisations such as NCPEDP want a de-escalation of cost of living for PwDs and removal of GST on goods like assistive technologies and aids for people with disabilities. In addition, groups also want the tax ceiling for disabled people be kept at Rs 5 lakh. They have also been asking the government to consider providing tangible incentives to private organisations that are implementing provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act and have four per cent differently-abled employees.

All eyes will be on the Modi government's last full Budget ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to see if it meets expectations of differently-abled persons.