GOA SCHEME FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED FOR THE PURCHASE OF ARTIFICIAL AIDS (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2012

PREAMBLE

In exercise of the powers conferred by article 15 of the Legislative Diploma No. 1984 dated 14-4-1960, the Government of Goa hereby makes the following rules so as to amend the Goa, Daman and Diu Scheme for Financial Assistance to the Physically Handicapped for the Purchase of Artificial Aids Rules, 1978, as follows:

Rule - 1. Short title and commencement.

(1)     These rules may be called the Goa Scheme for Financial Assistance to the Physically Handicapped for the Purchase of Artificial Aids (Amendment) Rules, 2012.

(2)     They shall come into force at once.

Rule - 2. Amendment of rule 3.

In rule 3 of the Goa, Daman and Diu Scheme for Financial Assistance to the Physically Handicapped for the Purchase of Artificial Aids Rules, 1978 (hereinafter referred to as the "principal Rules"),

(i)       for clause (i), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:

"(i) "Institute/Department" means the Institute of Public Assistance (Provedoria)/ /Public Assistance Department."

(ii)      after clause (iv), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:

"(v) "Government" means the Government of the State of Goa".

Rule - 3. Substitution of rule 4.

For rule 4 of the principal Rules, the following rule shall be substituted, namely:

4. Eligibility.

The following physically handicapped persons shall be entitled to Assistance under these Rules:

(i)       Persons of any age, gender and permanent resident of the State of Goa or domiciled and residing for more than five years in the State of Goa at the time of making an application.

(ii)      Persons in need of artificial aids, gadgets or tools to reduce the effect of their handicap.

(iii)     Persons receiving such assistance from any other Department of the Government shall not be considered under this scheme.

Rule - 4. Substitution of rule 5.

For rule 5 of the principal Rules, the following rule shall be substituted, namely:

"5. Mode of Application.

(i)       Application for assistance under these Rules shall be submitted to the Director in the form as may be specified by the Director. The form of application shall be supplied to the applicant, on request, free of charge by the Department of Public Assistance.

(ii)      The application shall be accompanied by following documents:

(a)      A Residence and Income Certificate from the Mamlatdar/Block Development Officer of the locality where the applicant has been residing for not less than five years before the date of application;

(b)      A Medical Certificate from the Professor and Head of the Department of a Government Hospital or the Director of Health Services stating the type of artificial aids/appliances required; and

(c)      An Undertaking-cum-Declaration stating that such benefits are not availed by the applicant from any other Agency or Government Department."

Rule - 5. Substitution of rule 7.

For rule 7 of the principal Rules, the following rule shall be substituted, namely:

The quantum of assistance shall depend upon the financial condition of the applicant and his family and shall be subject to a maximum limit as specified below:

Rule - 6. Amendment of rule 8.

In rule 8 of the Principal Rules, for the letters and figures "Rs. 1,000/-", wherever they occur, the letters and figures "Rs. 50,000/-" shall be substituted.

Rule - 7. Amendment of rule 10.

In rule 10 of the principal Rules, in sub-rule (i), for the word "Cheque", the words "cheque/Demand Draft/ /Money Order" shall be substituted.

Rule - 8. Substitution of rule 11.

For rule 11 of the principal Rules, the following rule shall be substituted, namely:

"11. Utilisation.

The fact that the assistance received from the Director of Public Assistance Department by a Physically Handicapped person under these Rules has been utilized for the purpose for which it has been sanctioned shall be certified by one of the following authorities:

(i)       The Head of the Department of a Government Hospital/Director of Health Services.

(ii)      A Gazetted Officer of the Government or Public Assistance Department".