How many are we? The data deficit holding back disability rights in Nagaland

The scheme, managed by the Directorate of Social Welfare, provides a monthly stipend of INR 300 to severely disabled individuals aged 18-79 from BPL households in Nagaland. However, as the Centre allocates funds for only 2000 beneficiaries in Nagaland, “they cannot accommodate any new persons anymore.”

“So, now it’s like new applicants for the scheme are waiting for existing beneficiaries to die. It’s really very pathetic,” Zecho explained.

The Nagaland Statistical Handbook 2023-24 states that 1,276 PwDs are currently receiving IGNDPS benefits, leaving at least 724 beneficiaries unaccounted for. This figure has remained unchanged since 2020-21.

Hega attributed this discrepancy to irregular disbursements. “The scheme is meant for 2,000 PwDs, but in the past years—2021, 2020, 2019—the government has not been giving it regularly. Sometimes they miss two or three years and then release the funds again. Many PwDs don’t even know if their disability pension has been disbursed or not. A few who get the information go and avail it, while many are left out again. That is why it’s not reaching 2000,” he said.

He added that instead of monthly or quarterly payments, the authorities often distribute the pension as a lump sum of INR 3,600 after 12 months. “Since it’s just INR 300 a month, they don’t want to take the trouble of disbursing it regularly. So, they just give the whole amount in one go.”

Hega described the situation as “pathetic” and said the issue has been highlighted repeatedly in discussions with officials, including the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD).

Despite the urgent need for updated data, neither the state government nor independent organisations have conducted comprehensive surveys to bridge this gap.

K Ela from Prodigals’ Home, an NGO with decades of experience working with PwDs, pointed to resource constraints as a major hurdle. The responsibility lies with the government, particularly the Census Department and the Social Welfare Department, to collaborate and gather updated data, she said.

Hega, who is also the president of Differently Abled People’s Organisation in Peren district, highlighted data discrepancies at the district level.

“In Peren district, my organisation has registered over 570 PwDs, but the District Welfare Office’s records show fewer than 300,” he pointed out. As per the 2011 Census, there are 1492 PwDs in the district.

Accessibility efforts

While the lack of data has stifled progress, some efforts have been made to improve accessibility in public spaces. Zecho said that under the Accessible India Campaign (AIC) and the Kohima Smart City project, certain accessibility features such as ramps and accessible toilets have been added to a few government buildings and public spaces in Kohima, “but it's not fully 100% accessible.”

He said the forum initiated awareness campaigns during the annual Hornbill Festival at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, starting from 2015. By 2016-17, the state government took note and renovated some old toilets to make them accessible and also made some of the stalls wheelchair-accessible.

He also noted changes in the private sector, citing the inclusion of elevators and ramps at the Kohima Ao Baptist Church as a step forward.

Ela also observed that the state has made efforts to improve accessibility with the active involvement and pressure from the SCPD.

However, these initiatives remain limited and inconsistent. Citing information obtained through an RTI application in 2023, Hega said that 31 buildings were identified in Kohima under the AIC. Out of these, only 10 have been made accessible so far.

“When it comes to accessibility, there are various provisions for different disabilities—such as those for the blind and the deaf. However, in Nagaland, we still have a long way to go,” Zecho added.

Both NSDF and Prodigals’ Home stressed the urgent need for a state-wide disability survey, with Zecho suggesting that the government collaborate with NGOs, village councils, and disability organisations to gather accurate data.

“The first step is to start the survey. Even if it’s not 100% accurate initially, it will provide a clearer picture,” he said.

Hega, meanwhile, observed a need for consultation among disability stakeholders, especially since disability issues are complex and relatively new in the context of Nagaland.

“A huge gap exists between those with lived experiences, those working in the sector, and government officials in decision-making positions. To bridge this gap, we need to engage in meaningful consultations and collaborate on disability-related issues. Only then can disability matters move forward in our state. Without the voices of stakeholders being heard, there can be no meaningful impact,” he asserted.