Question : CONSTITUTION OF NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR HANDICAPPED

(a) whether the Government has constituted the National Commission for the Handicapped;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the action being taken by the Government to accord constitutional status to the Commission ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SMT. SUBBULAKSHMI JAGADEESAN)

(a) & (b) Yes Sir. A National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) was constituted vide Resolution No. 16-85/2003 NI I/I(DD) dated 16 October, 2003. The Commission consists of one Chairperson, two full time Members, five Associate Members and one full time Member Secretary. The Government has since constituted the first NCPD on the 3rd February, 2004.

The main functions of the NCPD are:-


(i) Recommend to the Central Government specific programmes of action towards elimination of inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities for disabled persons so that they are assessed for their abilities despite disabilities and given the appropriate education, vocational training and poverty alleviation packages, employment and other support services to achieve the goal of psycho-social acceptance and full participation in the social and economic life of the country;


(ii) Review the status and conditions of Institutions delivering services in the disability sector and make recommendations; and


(iii) Submit annual reports to the Central and State Governments on matters concerning persons with disabilities along with their recommendations.


(iv) Discharge any other work assigned by the Central Government from time to time.

(c) There is no decision to accord constitutional status to the commission.