Law being framed for empowerment of differently-abled persons: President Pranab Mukherjee

NEW DELHI: The government is at an advanced stage of bringing a new and comprehensive law for empowerment of persons with disabilities, President Pranab Mukherjee said today.

He said economic empowerment of persons with disability is the key to their well-being and concerted efforts are required to fill the backlog of vacancies reserved for them.

Societies, NGOs and individuals should extend support and guidance to differently-abled and their families to ensure their socio-psychological and emotional integration into the mainstream of society, he said.

Mukherjee was speaking on the occassion of International Day of Disabled Persons where he gave away national awards for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.

"They face several barriers as a result of which they are unable to have equal access to various services in society, including education, employment, health care, transportation and, at times, justice," he said.

When they are empowered to participate fully in societal life on an equal basis with others, the nation and society as a whole are benefitted, he said.

"We are committed to full empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and India signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities", he said.

The government is at an advanced stage of bringing a new and comprehensive law in consonance with the provisions of the UN Convention, he said, adding this is a holistic piece of legislation which would entail responsibilities on union and state Governments, local bodies and even private service providers.

"Besides a strong policy framework, we must have an efficient and effective delivery mechanism in place to ensure that desired benefits can reach them. Governments must effectively partner with private sector and civil society in their endeavour to create an inclusive society," he said.