GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1839
ANSWERED ON-26.08.2013
Definition of disability in Right of Persons with Disabilities Bill
1839 . SHRI P. RAJEEVE
(a) what measure of disability has been adopted to include conditions/impairments in the list of disabilities in the draft Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill;
(b) whether petitions were received for inclusion/relief under this Bill which were rejected/excluded;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
(a) The Central Government had constituted, an Expert Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Sudha Kaul, Vice Chairperson, Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy, Kolkata on 30th April, 2010 to draft a new Bill. The Committee comprised of representatives of Central Ministries, State Governments, civil society, disability specific organisation such as the National Trust, Rehabilitation Council of India, and Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities etc. The Committee held several meetings including a National level Consultation with civil society representatives and consultations with legal experts. It also held State-level consultations in 28 States and two Union Territories across the country to ascertain the views of various stakeholders. The Committee submitted its report on 30 June 2011 alongwith the draft Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2011. The Committee suggested 20 disabilities for inclusion in the proposed legislation as against 7 disabilities enumerated in the The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.
(b) to (d) Petitions are received from time to time for inclusion of certain new types of disabilities. The final decision on the petitions and the said report will be taken after due consultation with State Governments and Central Ministries/Departments.
Source: Rajya Sabha Q&A
COMMENTS
The primary responsibility for programmes for rehabilitation and care of persons with disabilities lies with the State Governments. However, the Central Government supplements the efforts of the States in the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. The Central Government does not set up shelters/homes for mentally challenged girls. Under the Central Sector Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS), financial assistance is provided to Non-Government Organization for providing various services to persons with disabilities including special schools/residential schools/half way homes for such children/persons.
As per information received from Government of NCT of Delhi, Govt. of NCT of Delhi is running the following residential homes for mentally challenged girls:
(i) School & Home for mentally retarded (Girls) (SHMR) which has sanctioned capacity of 75 in which at present there are 219 residents.
(ii) Institution for Severe and Profound Mentally Retarded (Girls) (ISPMR) which has a sanctioned capacity of 100 in which at present there are 247 residents.
Both these institutions/homes are situated at Asha Kiran Complex, Avantika, Rohini, Delhi.
Further, the National Trust under this Ministry, for the welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerabral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities is implementing a residential care scheme named `Samarth` for providing respite care and long term stay facility for adult persons. Orphan/destitute below 18 years, including mentally challenged girls. are also eligible under this scheme. Presently, this scheme is running at 106 places in the country, including 2 in the Capital at following places:
(i) Manovikas Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Research Centre, A-267, Surajmal Vihar, Delhi.
(ii) Society for Child Development, Apne Sahare, 7/27 A, Ground Floor, Roop Nagar, Delhi.
Besides, a lifelong shelter and care facility scheme namely Gharaunda is being implemented by the National Trust for adult persons both men and women at 4 places in the country including one in the Capital at DERA Mandi, Dera, Near Chattarpur (by Muskaan), Sector-B, Pocket-2, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri P. Balram Naik in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Read Carefully first sentence, it is primary responsibility of State Government…
why central government cannot spare some crore of rupees for Mentally challenge rehabilitation, when crores of tax payers money goes for corrupt netas and babus..
Mentally challenge also can be asset, if they are rehabiliate properly with good teachers and trainer.