Pranab Mukherjee for better delivery mechanism of schemes for disabled

NEW DELHI: Stressing on the need to expedite the process for replacing the present Disabilities Act with a more comprehensive legislation, President Pranab Mukherjee today asked the government to introduce the bill in Parliament as early as possible.

He also asked the government to reinforce its efforts to ensure a better delivery mechanism of the schemes for disabled people.

"Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights & Full Participation) Act of 1995, is our main legislation dealing with persons with disabilities. The government is in the process of replacing it with a more comprehensive new Legislation in consonance with United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities," he said.

Mukherjee said the "holistic" legislation would entail major responsibilities not merely on the central government, but also on state governments, local bodies, and even private service providers.

"I, therefore, urge the government to complete the remaining stages of consultation expeditiously, and to introduce the Bill in Parliament as early as possible," he said.

Earlier, he conferred the national awards for empowerment of persons with disabilities in a ceremony here.

The award ceremony was attended by Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Kumar Selja, Minister of State for SJ&E D Napoleon and officials from the Ministry.

Observing that the nation is committed to full empowerment of people with disabilities, Mukherjee said UNCRPD symbolises country's resolve to provide differently-abled citizens an environment for their full development and equal participation.

He also asked the state governments to create a separate department of disability affairs on the lines of Union Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry.