Intelligence Brief: Chandigarh Cochlear Implant Initiative Records Minimal Surgical Activity Under ADIP Scheme

Recent parliamentary disclosures reveal that Chandigarh has conducted only two cochlear implant surgeries over a two-year period under the Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) scheme. This information surfaced in response to inquiries from Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari regarding accessibility measures and assistive hearing device availability in the region. The limited surgical output suggests potential systemic challenges in implementing hearing disability interventions, despite the ADIP scheme's national mandate to provide subsidized assistive devices. The minimal activity raises questions about awareness, infrastructure, or procedural barriers affecting service delivery in Chandigarh. Further analysis indicates this low utilization rate may reflect broader issues in disability benefit accessibility, warranting investigation into scheme promotion, medical facility readiness, and beneficiary identification processes. The parliamentary attention underscores growing scrutiny of disability inclusion metrics across Indian urban centers.