New Delhi: The Centre has decided to introduce a universal ID for people with disabilities which will be valid throughout the country, a move which will allow the differently-abled to easily avail the benefit of various schemes and reservation.
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Pal Gurjar said that the government is drawing up a new Act which will include another 12 types of physical disabilities.
"The physically-handicapped certificates issued by the state governments are not recognised by one another. So, the Centre is coming out with a universal ID which will be valid everywhere in the country," he said at a workshop on prevention of corneal blindness in Delhi.
"The existing Act recognises only seven types of disabilities, but we are coming out with a new Act which will include another 12 types of physical disabilities," he said.
Mentioning the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, a campaign for making India 'disabled-friendly', the minister said various steps have been taken to make services and facilities accessible to differently-abled people.
"An outlay of Rs 218 crore has been made for the campaign. We will select 100 government and non-government buildings each in 50 cities which, through ramps, lifts and other facilities, will be made accessible for persons with disabilities," he said.
The Centre has decided to ensure complete accessibility for persons with disabilities by 2019 by improving civic facilities and modes of transportation, including the railways and airlines, the minister said.
The minister also said that, for the first time in the country, a programme has been started to facilitate cochlear implants for children born with hearing and speech impairment.
Mr Gurjar said that covering 15,000 such children every year will involve a cost of around Rs 900 crore even as he called on corporate houses to contribute towards the initiative.
He said the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has organised 1,800 camps, including 150 mega camps, across the country to distribute equipment to persons with disabilities, he said.
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Pal Gurjar said that the government is drawing up a new Act which will include another 12 types of physical disabilities.
"The physically-handicapped certificates issued by the state governments are not recognised by one another. So, the Centre is coming out with a universal ID which will be valid everywhere in the country," he said at a workshop on prevention of corneal blindness in Delhi.
Mentioning the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, a campaign for making India 'disabled-friendly', the minister said various steps have been taken to make services and facilities accessible to differently-abled people.
Advertisement
The Centre has decided to ensure complete accessibility for persons with disabilities by 2019 by improving civic facilities and modes of transportation, including the railways and airlines, the minister said.
Advertisement
Mr Gurjar said that covering 15,000 such children every year will involve a cost of around Rs 900 crore even as he called on corporate houses to contribute towards the initiative.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Puja Khedkar's Disability Document Has Factory Address, Ration Card Proof Who Is Abhishek Singh, Ex-IAS Officer Under Fire Over Disability Claim "For God's Sake...": High Court Raps Maharashtra Over Board For Disabled Persons Barack Obama Wants Joe Biden To Pull Out Of US Presidential Race: Report World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage 32 Dead In Bangladesh Unrest, Protesters Set Fire To State TV Headquarters Comedy Legend Bob Newhart Dead At 94: Publicist Israeli Strike Kills Field Commander In Elite Hezbollah Unit: Report Delhi-San Francisco Air India Flight Diverted To Russia After Engine Glitch Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.