Question : Separate Department on Disability

(a) the approximate number of differently abled persons in the country, State-wise;
(b) whether certain States do not have separate department to look after the welfare activities of the disabled;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(d) the steps taken by the Government towards convincing the States/UTs to constitute separate Department for disabled to resolve the concerns, issues, problems and hurdles being faced by the persons with disabilities so that they can be integrated in the mainstream of the society; and
(e) the other steps being taken by the Government to promote the rights of persons with disabilities?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI KRISHANPAL GURJAR)
(a) State-wise number of persons with disabilities as per Census 2011 is at Annexure.
(b) & (c) Presently, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamilnadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh have separate Department for dealing with matters concerning persons with disabilities.


Cont…



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(d) On 20/03/2018, the Ministry wrote to Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs requesting them to establish separate Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities at the State/UT level for the purpose of effective implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2016 which envisages more rights and entitlements for persons with disabilities and mandates the States/UTs to take various measures in the area of education, early intervention and prevention, social security, health development, employment, rehabilitation, sports and recreation etc.

(e) With a view to provide more rights and entitlements, the Government has enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2016 (RPwD Act, 2016) which has been brought into force with effect from 19.04.2017 replacing the erstwhile Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (PwD Act, 1995). While PwD Act, 1995 provided for not less than 3% reservation in Government jobs to certain categories of persons with disabilities, the RPwD Act, 2016 provides for not less than 4% reservation to certain categories of benchmark disabilities. The RPwD Act, 2016 also provides for not less than 5% reservation in seats for persons with benchmark disabilities in Government and Government aided higher educational institutions.

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