DisabledRights Group (DRG)

&

NationalPlatform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD)


27th December, 2013


PRESS STATEMENT



On Speedy Enactment of Rights of Personswith Disabilities Bill



The Disabled Rights Group (DRG) and the  National Platform for the Rightsof the Disabled (NPRD) express their dismay over the inordinate delay inintroducing 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 specificlegislations – the Mental Health Act 1987, Rehabilitation Council of India Act1992, Persons with Disability (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights andFull Participation) Act 1995 and the National Trust Act 1999 would beharmonised 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.

Thoughthe process of drafting the new law started over four years back and has gonethrough various stages, the delay in introducing this legislation isinexplicable. More than a year has passed since the new draft of the proposedBill was uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Social Justice &Empowerment in September 2012.

 

TheMinister for Social Justice & Empowerment had given an assurance that theBill would be introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament. The Union Cabinetgave its approval to the Draft Bill on 12th December, 2013. However, the abruptend of the Parliament session on 18th December prevented the Bill from beingtabled.


DRG and NPRD demand that when the Parliament session is convened to pass theVote on Account in January/February, this extremely important piece of legislationmust also be taken up by both, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for enactment.


We will be approaching all major political parties to garner support for thisas we genuinely believe that the cause of disability is a totally non partisanand non political issue.


As a mark of protest and to exert necessary pressure on the politicalleadership, while the entire world would be celebrating New Year’s eve,disability rights activists will hold Candle Light Vigils in various parts ofthe country on 31st December.


In Delhi, theVigil will be held outside the Vice President’s House as he is the Chairman andthe custodian of the Rajya Sabha. The Vigil will start at 5 pmand continue till the Midnight hour (12.00a.m). Hundreds of disabled people will converge from not only all overDelhi/NCR but nearby States as well.


Various other programmes will also be held during the course of the month.



 

 

 Javed Abidi                                                        Muralidharan

Convener, DRG,                                                 Secretary, NPRD



Contactdetails for Javed Abidi:

Email:[email protected]

Mobile: 9811038018


Contact details for Muralidharan:

Email:[email protected]

 

Mobile: 9868768543

 

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