Question : CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

(a) the total number of children with disabilities in rural and urban areas,separatrely, State-wise;

(b) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the number of disabled population in the country has increased drastically than the last decade;

(c) if so, the details thereof during the last three years, category/gender/ State-wise;

(d) whether any steps has been taken by the Government to assist the children with disabilities and ensure livelihood to them; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)

(a) As per Census 2011, there are 65,71,589 children with disabilities in the age-group of 5-19 years. Out of these, 46,82,885 children belong to rural areas and 18,88,704 children belong to urban areas.

(b) & (c) The number of persons with disabilities has increased from 2.21 crore as per Census 2001 to 2.68 crore as per Census 2011. The increase cannot be termed as drastic compared to the increase in total population.

(d) & (e) The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights & Full Participation) Act, 1995, contains various provisions for empowerment of persons with disabilities. The Act, inter- alia, casts responsibilities on the States to take various measures in the area of early intervention, education, health care etc. for children with disabilities. The Govern- ment has introduced the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 in the Rajya Sabha on 07.02.2014 which, inter-alia, proposes to cast responsibilities on the States to take measures to ensure that the persons with disabilities including children with disabilities enjoy their rights equally with others.