Social Spending during COVID-19: Impact on Disability Institutions and Persons with Disabilities in India

Page: 338-346
Ram Aravind1, Vaishali Kolhe2, and Dhananjay Kumar3 (Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), New Delhi1, Centre for Disability Studies and Action, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra2, Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi3)

The Persons with Disabilities (PwD) emerged as the most vulnerable sections of population, during the COVID-19 crisis in India. The response of the state towards ameliorating the disparaging effects of the pandemic on PwD was perceived to be inadequate considering that the needs of individuals living with disability vary greatly depending on type and degree of disability. In India, rehabilitation institutions working with PwD had long departed from exclusive reliance on state-sponsored welfare funding to securing funds through external sources like philanthropy. However, the self- professed sustainability of private funding was affected by the pandemic, and the period following the lockdown saw rampant cuts in allocation of finances meant for social welfare on account of poor business outlook and diversion of funds towards COVID-19 relief. The actions have affected PwD living in institutionalized settings, which have depended on external sources for funding. In the first-quarter of financial year 2020- 21, the institutions had reported to facing considerable restraint in arranging funds to meet everyday expenses and healthcare needs of the ‘cared’, while retrenching care-givers and support staff due to inability to pay wages, leading to a situation of mismanagement in care-giving. Through this paper, the authors argue for allocation of sustainable and long-term investments in ensuring welfare of PwD through adopting an inclusive and responsible approach to social spending, as opposed to sporadic and inconsistent funding patterns that only serve to address short-term concerns of disability institutions.