Disability Caregiving: Toward a More Inclusive Welfare State
(Source: The Indian Express, Editorial Page)
Also Read: The Indian Express Editorial Analysis: 21 June 2025
Also Read: The Hindu Editorial Analysis: 21 June 2025
| Topic: GS Paper 2 – Governance | Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections |
| Context |
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Scheme Overview
The newly announced disability caregiving scheme is aimed at:
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Providing financial support to family caregivers of PwDs.
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Acknowledging the unpaid labor involved in disability caregiving, often performed by women.
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Framing caregiving as a social responsibility, not just a private burden.
Why This Matters
India has over 2.68 crore persons with disabilities (Census 2011) — a figure widely believed to be underreported. While schemes like the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 exist, caregivers — the invisible backbone of disability welfare — remain largely unsupported.
Positives of the Scheme
| Aspect | Key Contributions |
|---|---|
| Recognition | Validates caregiving as legitimate, socially productive labor. |
| Support for Families | Eases financial burden on households caring for severely disabled members. |
| Gender Lens | Indirectly supports women, who disproportionately shoulder caregiving roles. |
| Policy Shift | Moves narrative from charity to inclusion and dignity. |
Challenges and Criticism
Despite good intent, the scheme has limitations:
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Limited Coverage: Not universal; applies only to caregivers of persons with “benchmark disabilities” (≥40% disability).
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Lack of Social Security Integration: PwDs and caregivers are not fully woven into health insurance, pensions, or livelihood frameworks.
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Neglect of Caregiver Well-being: No psychological, health, or occupational support for caregivers themselves.
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Poor Implementation Track Record: Previous disability schemes have faced low awareness, underfunding, and bureaucratic delays.
The Way Forward: Toward Inclusive Disability Policy
| Recommendation | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Rights-Based Approach | Shift from viewing PwDs as passive recipients to rights-holders. |
| Cross-sectoral Integration | Disability welfare must include healthcare, employment, and education. |
| Caregiver Support Programs | Training, mental health services, and rest breaks are essential. |
| Data-Driven Governance | Real-time disability and caregiving databases for effective targeting. |
| Increased Budgetary Allocation | More funding needed to scale and universalize the scheme. |
| Practice Question: (GS-2 | 15 Marks | 250 Words) “India’s disability welfare programmes often overlook the caregivers. Discuss how inclusive disability policy can improve both equity and efficiency in welfare delivery.” |
