This section will provide you information you can benefit from. Relaxations, provisions, rules, policies and procedures favouring the differently-abled and stipulated by government and public enterprises.

Age relaxation in Central Government jobs

Age relaxation rules in central government jobs for the disabled.
Read this article on age relaxation rules

Provisions for the differently-abled in Budget 2003-2004

Relevant extracts from the budget speech made by Mr. Jaswant Singh.

RAILWAY FARE CONCESSION: Indian Railways has streamlined the scheme of granting railway fare concession to the following four categories of disabled persons:

1. Orthopaedically handicapped/ paraplegic persons who cannot travel without the assistance of an escort,
2. Mentally retarded persons who also need an escort,
3. Completely blind persons travelling alone or with an escort, and
4. Totally deaf & dumb persons (both afflictions together).

The period of validity of the certificate for blind, mentally retarded and deaf & dumb persons has been increased to 5 years to reduce the frequent botheration of renewing their certificates. The proforma of certificates has also been changed to reduce the possibility of any difficulty or harassment in getting concession. The revised certificates, in effect from January 1, 1999, include provision of address of the concerned disabled person and photograph to be attested by the Doctor. Copies of the revised certificates, for the above mentioned four categories of disabled persons, are available for free at stations/reservation offices.

Relevant extracts from the budget speech on the provisions for the differently-able are provided below:

• To assist citizens with impaired vision, the basic customs duty on rough ophthalmic blanks shall be reduced from 25 to 5 per cent, and the basic excise duty will be reduced from 16 to 8 per cent.
  
• For income tax purposes, it is proposed that the physically handicapped or persons with such dependents be entitled to a deduction for permanent physical disability of Rs.50,000, and an enhanced deduction of Rs.75,000 in case of severe disability.
  
• Customs duty for the following items is reduced to 5 per cent.

Blind Literature packets are exempted from payment of postage (both inland and foreign) if sent by surface post. Air-mail charges are to be paid if packets are sent by air. According to the Rule 129 of the Post Office Guide, besides being exempted from the payment of postage, ' Blind Literature' packets are exempted from payment of
(I) Registration fee
(II) Fee for acknowledgement and
(III) Fee for attested copy of the receipt.

Rule 130 of the Post Office Guide defines the Contents and Conditions of posting of Blind Literature. According to this rule: Papers of any kind, periodicals and books printed in Braille or other special type for the use of the blind may be transmitted by post as 'Blind Literature' packets provided that they are posted in accordance with the below mentioned conditions. Plates bearing the characters of writing, sound records for the use of the blind, and discs, films, tapes and wires on which spoken message for the blind have been recorded, when sent by, or addressed to, an officially recognised institution for the blind, shall also be treated as 'Blind Literature'.

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel & Training) has decided to allow age concession of 10 years to handicapped persons for appointment through open competitive examinations. This decision has been reached in consultation with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. The decision is to allow relaxation of 10 years in the upper age limit to blind, deaf-mute and orthopaedically handicapped persons for appointment to all civil posts/services under the Central Government filled through open competitive examinations.