Decade on, disability policy rejig in limbo
Advocacy groups are criticizing the Indian government for a decade-long delay in updating the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities. Despite the passage of the 2016 Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, the country still relies on a policy framework from 2006.
Why it matters
The delay hinders the effective implementation of modern disability rights and prevents the integration of health and social protection services for disabled citizens.
NEW DELHI: Ten years after the current disability law was passed, govt is yet to frame a revised National Policy for Persons with Disabilities. The existing National Policy for Persons with Disabilities was adopted 20 years ago."This prolonged delay is particularly concerning because a contemporary national policy is essential to translate the rights guaranteed under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPDA) Act, 2016 and India's commitments under UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into a coordinated, measurable and adequately resourced whole-of-govt framework," stated the organisation, Doctors with Disabilities: Agents of Change (DwDAoC), in its letter to the minister for social justice and empowerment and secretary of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).Govt had acknowledged the need for a new national policy in its 2022 public notice inviting comments on the draft policy.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in