Question : EDUCATION FOR DISABLED

(a) whether the Government are committed to care the disabled specially the weaker gender;

(b) if so, the measures taken in this regard and the annual budget earmarked therefor;

(c) whether it is correct that the education of the disabled has been allocated to the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment thereby alienating it from the mainstream education handled by the Human Resource Development and causing a further disadvantage to the disabled;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the education of the disabled will therefore by actively inter-linked to the HRD at the earliest; and

(f) if not, reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(SMT. MANEKA GANDHI)

(a & b) Yes, Sir. The commitment of the Government is reflected in the enactment of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 which came into force w.e.f 7.2.1996. In addition, a number of schemes are being implemented by this Ministry for benefit of persons with disabilities, including women with disabilities. During the current financial year, 2000-01, provision of Rs. 230.10 crore (Plan) and Rs. 31.05 (Non-Plan) has been proposed in the budget of this Ministry for the disability sector.

(c to f) Special Education falls within the purview of this Ministry. Certain schemes to promote special education, including special schools, are already being implemented by this Ministry. As per the National Education Policy as also under the persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, children with disabilities are to be given education in general schools as far as possible. To facilitate this process, the Department of Secondary Education and Higher Education under the Ministry of Human Resource Development has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Education for Disabled Children (IEDC).