On Speedy Enactment of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill 2013

We express our dismay over the inordinate delay in introducing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill in Parliament.

With India ratifying the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2007, it was expected that all the four disability specific legislations - the Mental Health Act 1987, Rehabilitation Council of India Act 1992, Persons with Disability (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995 and the National Trust Act 1999 would be harmonised with the provisions of the UNCRPD.

However, while the Mental Health Care Bill has been introduced in Parliament, the Bill replacing the 1995 Disability Act is yet to be introduced.

 

Though the process of drafting the new law started over four years back and has gone through various stages, the delay in introducing this legislation is inexplicable. More than a year has passed since the new draft of the proposed Bill was uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in September 2012.

 

The Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment had given an assurance that the Bill would be introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament. The Union Cabinet gave its approval to the Draft Bill on 12th December, 2013. However, the abrupt end of the Parliament session on 18th December prevented the Bill from being tabled.

We demand that when Parliament is convened to pass the Vote on Account, this extremely important piece of legislation must be taken up in both houses of Parliament for enactment.

Disabled Rights Group (DRG)

 

National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD)