NHFDC: Steps towards Empowerment and Economic Rehabilitation

By Manjima Biswas

The government has come up with multiple schemes over time to safeguard the inclusion and social well-being of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in India. The provision of equal opportunities to PwDs includes empowerment through livelihood options and viable opportunities for becoming economically self-reliant. To help this stance of economic rehabilitation of PwDs, an institution for expanding concessional credit towards self-employment opportunities and vocational training, National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) was formed in 1997, under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

 

Objective of NHFDC/NHFDC Schemes

 

Through schemes like Divyangjan Swavalamban Yojana and the Microfinance Yojana, NHFDC aims to achieve the objective of empowerment of PwDs and their inclusion in the mainstream. To secure this, financial assistance through loans is the main objective. The other broader objective is to focus on overall development, skill building and assist with funds for general/professional/technical education or training. Through Microfinance Yojana, financial assistance upto Rs 50000 can be availed by the weaker section among PwDs to help with small income-generating initiatives. The Divyangjan Swavalamban Yojana allows an upper limit of Rs 50 lakhs as loan for business initiatives that aim at the growth and betterment of PwDs in any way.

NHFDC also runs a Foundation that comes up with motivating programmes like the Swavalamban Kendra Scheme, which helps set up small units of industrial/training/artisanal work through infrastructural help. Under this scheme, the individual running the business also has to ensure the training of 100 other disabled trainees at the centre annually, creating a chain of empowering possibilities.

 

A scholarship scheme provides financial assistance and assistive devices to graduate or postgraduate students pursuing technical/professional courses. Loans upto 10 lakhs for studying in India and upto 20 lakhs for studying abroad are available. A loan for vocational education and training of PwDs is also available, upto an amount of 2 lakhs. Please refer to this link for more details: http://www.nhfdc.nic.in/upload/Lending_Policy.pdf

 

Who can apply for NHFDC schemes?

 

Any Indian citizen above 18 years of age and with 40% or more disability (as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016) is eligible to apply for loans under the said schemes. They must also come with “relevant educational /technical /vocational qualification/experience and background”. In case of persons with intellectual or learning disabilities, the eligible age is above 14 years. Age certificate issued by a competent authority, Class 10 certificates or any other certificate issued by the government is sufficient. In case of an educational loan, no age bar is applicable.

 

What are the benefits of availing these schemes?

 

Financial assistance at a concessional rate of interest which is 5% for small loans and upto 9% for loans between Rs 30–50 lakhs might be helpful for many aspiring entrepreneurs. To help and encourage a wider range of PwDs under the self-employment scheme, an additional rebate in interest is allowed to persons with visual impairment, hearing impairment or intellectual disability and to women with disabilities.

 

Where to apply for NHFDC loans?

 

Banks have to be approached for a loan under the NHFDC schemes. NHFDC does not directly disburse funds as a body but refinances loans given out to PwDs through its State Channelizing Agencies, Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and some other institutions. Please follow the links below to know more:

http://nhfdc.nic.in/how-to-obtain-loan

http://nhfdc.nic.in/how-to-obtain-loan/state-channelising-agency

The loan approval, disbursement of funds, documentation required and timeline for repayment of loan might vary as per the agencies.

 

Innovative Income Generation

 

Though NHFDC has been able to create sustainable change in the lives of nearly 2 lakh PwDs as of August 2020, it is yet to achieve extensive reach across India. Other than achieving financial aid, training and possibilities to run a successful business can be explored by learning more about the innovative schemes.

 

Contact Details of NHFDC

 

NHFDC can be reached at the email ID nhfdc97@gmail.com with any queries or difficulties an individual is facing with securing loans under NHFDC schemes. In case of any grievance/complaint, the persons to contact are:

  • Vineet Rena, Grievance Redressal Officer, NHFDC, Delhi.
  • In case of no resolve one can write to: The Chairman/Managing Director, NHFDC, Delhi at the given email ID or by post

 

The address and other details are below:

 

Corporate Office:

Unit No. 11 & 12,

Ground Floor, DLF Prime Tower,

Okhla Phase – I, Near Tehkhand Village,

New Delhi – 110020

Ph: 011-45803730

 

Registered Office:

National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation

Red Cross Bhawan, Sector-12

Faridabad-121 007 (Haryana)

 

Website – www.nhfdc.nic.in

FAQs on NHFDC – http://www.nhfdc.nic.in/writereaddata/NHFDC/FAQs_SelfLoan.pdf