DEFINITION OF DISABILITY IN RIGHT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES BILL

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1839

ANSWERED ON-26.08.2013

Definition of disability in Right of Persons with Disabilities Bill

1839 . SHRI P. RAJEEVE

(a) what measure of disability has been adopted to include conditions/impairments in the list of disabilities in the draft Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill;

(b) whether petitions were received for inclusion/relief under this Bill which were rejected/excluded;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

(a) The Central Government had constituted, an Expert Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Sudha Kaul, Vice Chairperson, Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy, Kolkata on 30th April, 2010 to draft a new Bill. The Committee comprised of representatives of Central Ministries, State Governments, civil society, disability specific organisation such as the National Trust, Rehabilitation Council of India, and Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities etc. The Committee held several meetings including a National level Consultation with civil society representatives and consultations with legal experts. It also held State-level consultations in 28 States and two Union Territories across the country to ascertain the views of various stakeholders. The Committee submitted its report on 30 June 2011 alongwith the draft Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2011. The Committee suggested 20 disabilities for inclusion in the proposed legislation as against 7 disabilities enumerated in the The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

(b) to (d) Petitions are received from time to time for inclusion of certain new types of disabilities. The final decision on the petitions and the said report will be taken after due consultation with State Governments and Central Ministries/Departments. 

Source: Rajya Sabha Q&A