Question : REVIEW OF DISABILITY AFFAIRS

(a) whether a conference of State Ministers and Principal Secretaries of the Social Justice Department was held recently by the Government to review disability affairs;

(b) if so, the details and response of the States thereon;

(c) whether issues pertaining to simplification of procedure for issuing Disability Certificate was discussed in the said conference;

(d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof;

(e) whether only 39.29 per cent of persons with disabilities have been given these certificates till March this year; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the remedial steps taken by the Government in this regard?

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

(a): Yes, Sir. A conference of State Social Welfare Ministers in-charge of Disability Affairs and Secretaries/Administrators of States/Union Territories was held on 23.08.2014 at VigyanBhawan, New Delhi.

(b) A total number of 31 States / UTs were represented out of which 10 Ministers attended the conference. All the States / UTs agreed to the proposal to conduct surveys for identification of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and assist in issuance of Universal Identity. Detailed information was provided about various steps taken by them to create barrier free access to built environment and new initiatives for rehabilitation of PwDs.

(c) & (d): Yes, Sir. The issue of simplification of procedures for issue of Disability Certificate was discussed. The States / UT administrations, who have not yet amended/ notified the rules, simplified the procedure for issue of Disability Certificate, were requested to complete the process by the end of March, 2015.

(e) & (f) About 39.29 per cent of Persons with Disabilities had been issued Disability Certificate till March, 2014. However as on 7.10.2014 the achievement is 44.73%. Since State Governments are responsible for issue of Disability Certificates, Central Government has been continuously urging them to take appropriate steps to issue Disability Certificate to all genuine PwDs in campaign mode. Office of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities is also regularly pursuing the matter with the State Commissioners.

In the 13th State Commissioners’ meeting held on 5-6 July, 2014, it was recommended that Special Drives for issuing disability certificates to 70% in three months and 100% coverage within one year should be conducted in every State/UT Administration.