Meeting of State Advisory Board on Disability held

Chandigarh.9 January,2020. The State Advisory Board on Disability held its first meeting today  under the Chairmanship of Adviser to the Administrator in accordance with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016.

At the outset, Chairman took introduction of all the members along with the activities carried out  by their department/ organization with regard to the welfare of Persons with Disabilities. Thereafter, Chairman reviewed the section wise implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Smt. Navjot Kaur, Director Social Welfare apprised all the members of the Board about the functions of the State Advisory Board on Disability as under :

o        Advise the State Government on policies, programmes, legislation and projects with respect to disability;

o        Develop a State policy to address issues concerning persons with disabilities;

o        Review and coordinate the activities of all Departments of the state Government and other Governmental and non-Governmental Organizations in the State which are dealing with matters relating to Persons with Disabilities;

o        Take up the cause of Persons with Disabilities with the concerned authorities and the international organizations with a view to provide for scheme and projects for the Persons with Disabilities in the State plans;

o        Recommend steps to ensure accessibility, reasonable accommodation, non-discrimination for Persons with Disabilities, services and the built environment and their participation in social life on an equal basis with others;

o        Monitor and evaluate the impact of laws, policies and programmes designed to achieve full participation of Persons with Disabilities and

o        Such other functions as may be assigned from time to time by the State Government.

Further, it was  apprised to the Board that there are around 14000 PwDs for which Department of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development is implementing number of Schemes including Pension, Petrol Subsidy, Scholarships, Skill Development Training and 4% reservation in Govt. Jobs for PwDs. Also, a power point presentation  on the status of  implementation of  various provisions of RPwD Act, 2016  (section-wise) alongwith Scheme for the welfare of Persons with Disabilities was given by  the Director Social Welfare.

Mrs. Kamlesh (Ex- Mayor) Advisor, Youth Innovative Society suggested that special skill training programmes may be designed leading to self employment of PwDs citing an example of jute/paper bag making and Govt. agencies may be involved for  the marketing of said products. Further , It was also desired by various members that there shall be Free Travel concession in CTU buses outside Chandigarh, 100% UDID implementation, Holding of awareness camps, Websites accessibility and effective Redressal of   problems faced by PwDs with multiple Disabilities.

Chairman appreciated the sincere efforts made by the Department of   Social Welfare , Women & Child Development for efficient and effective implementation of various provisions/sections of  RPWD Act, 2016. However, Chairman further directed all the members to work in tandem so as to ensure the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act in its true letter and spirit.

Secretary Health, Secretary Finance, Secretary Personnel, Secretary Transport, Secretary Rural Development, Secretary Labour and Commissioner, Municipal Corporation and member NGOs were also present at the meeting.