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The Union Minister of Social Justice and
Empowerment, Kumari Selja Friday declared that the Twelfth Five Year
Plan which earmarks a total allocation to the tune of Rs.3000 crore,
envisages the setting up of a National Center for Universal Design,
establishment of Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre
(ISLRTC) and setting up of Braille printing presses across various
states of India.
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"It also proposes to undertake the exercise
of harmonizing all the relevant domestic laws (including the mainstream
laws) and policies with the UNCRPD," Selja said.
Selja on Friday inaugurated the 12th National Meeting of the State
Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities to review implementation of
PwD Act, here.
The Minister in her address said that a meeting of this kind provides an
important forum for exchanging views and experiences. The meeting will
also help promote a culture of shared learning and understanding of
critical issues around implementation of the PwD Act, 1995.
The Minister expressed satisfaction that the disability rights discourse
is now getting institutionalized in the larger legal and policy
framework of India.
She said, "The ratification of the UNCRPD and the setting up of a
dedicated Department of Disability Affairs in the Ministry of Social
Justice & Empowerment, are glaring illustrations of the government’s
commitment towards persons with disabilities."
"The government is also working on replacing the old PwD Act of 1995 for
providing more respect to individual dignity and protecting fundamental
freedoms of PwDs."
"The proposed 'Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill' contains
elaborate and comprehensive provisions which are in harmony with the
UNCRPD. The Bill will be a distinct improvement on the existing PwD Act,
1995."
She added that the absence of full-time Commissioners with independent
charge in many states, ineffective functioning of state Coordination and
Executive Committees and inadequacy of human and material resources for
the state Commissioners are amongst major areas of concern.
The Minister said and requested the state government’s to have a
dedicated Department to oversee the disability issues so that the State
Commissioners can interact and coordinate well.
She urged urgent initiatives to ensure barrier free environment to
persons with disabilities must be initiated without any further loss of
time and States should take advantage of the Ministry’s SIPDA scheme.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Department of Social Justice &
Empowerment, Sudhir Bhargava complimented Chandigarh, Jharkhand and
Tripura for issuing disability certificates to 100 percent persons with
disabilities in their respective States/UT and also requested the
Commissioners of Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Nagaland, Daman & Diu and
Dadra & Nagar Haveli where less than 20 percent persons with
disabilities have been issued disability certificates, to prevail upon
the concerned department to take up this matter on a campaign mode and
cover all persons with disabilities.
The Secretary added that the role of Commissioners is crucial for
securing the cooperation of and the coordination among various
departments of the state governments.
Source : India Blooms , 28th June 2013
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