Question : AMENDMENT TO PWD ACT,1995



(a) the progress made so far in the process of amending the `Persons with Disabilities Act, (PWD) 1995`;

(b) the reasons for delay in making amendments in the Act; and

(c) the action plan chalked out to expedite it?

Answer given by the minister


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

(a) to (c) As indicated in the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, process for consultation with statekholders for amendment to the Act has commenced. Two consultation meetings have been held in Patna and Chennai. On the demand of NGOs in the disability sector, the process was kept in abeyance till the UN Convention was finalized. The process has been resumed after India signed the convention. The third consultation meeting has been held on the 14th August, 2007 in Delhi.