The national trust for the welfare of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities

STUCTURE
The 1999 Act sets up a National Trust to enable persons with disability to live independently by:
(i) promoting measures for their protection in case of death of their parents,
(ii) evolving procedures for appointment of their guardians and trustees, and
(iii) facilitating equal opportunities in society.

FUND.
(1) There shall be constituted a Fund to be called the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Fund and there shall be credited thereto—
(a) all moneys received from the Central Government;
(b) all moneys received by the Trust by way of grants, gifts, donations, benefactions, bequests or transfers;
(c) all moneys received by the Trust in any other manner or from any other source.
(2) All moneys belonging to the fund shall be deposited in such banks or invested in such manner as the Board may, subject to the approval of the Central Government, decide.

OBJECTS OF THE TRUST
(a) to enable and empower persons with disability to live as independently and as fully a possiblee within and as close to the community to which they belong;
(b) to strengthen facilities to provide support to persons with disability to live within their own Families;
© to extend support to registered organisations to provide need based services during the period of crisis in the family of persons with disability;
(d) to deal with problems of persons with disability who do not have family support;
(e) to promote measures for the care and protection of persons with disability in the event of death of their parent or guardian;
(f) to evolve procedure for the appointment of guardians and trustees for persons with disability requiring such protection;
(g) to facilitate the realisation of equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation of persons with disability; and
(h) to do any other act which is incidental to the aforesaid objects.

MONITORING
The Board shall determine by regulations the procedure for evaluating the prefunding status of registered organisations seeking financial assistance from it.
Such regulations may also provide for the guidelines for monitoring and evaluating the activities of the registered organisations who are receiving financial assistance from the Trust.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(1) The Board shall in each year hold an annual general meeting of registered organisations, and not more than six months shall elapse between the date of one annual general meeting and that of the next.
(2) A notice of the annual general meeting along with a statement of accounts and records of its
activities during the preceding year shall be sent by the Board to every registered organisation at such time as may be determined by regulations.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD
The Board shall receive funds from the Central Government in each financial year, which may be considered necessary; to provide financial assistance to registered organizations for carrying out "approved programs.“
Regarding allocations for funds for programs, preference shall be given to women with disability, or to persons with severe disability and to senior citizens with disability (i.e. person above the age of 65 years).