Bill on people with disability introduced to Rajya Sabha by Kharge

A bill that increases quota for disabled people in government jobs from 3-5 percent was introduced in the Rajya Sabha Friday.

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014, was introduced in the upper house by Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Mallikarjun Kharge amid the din.

As members protested on various issues, Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said the chairman would consider sending the bill to the Standing Committee.

"The bill has only been introduced. The chairman will consider sending it to the Standing Committee," Kurien said.

The bill covers a variety of issues relating to people with disability, such as physical, mental and multiple disability.

It has a provision for increasing quota in government jobs from 3 to 5 percent and facilitates accountability in private sector and educational institutions.

The legislation will replace Persons with Disability (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

India signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007, by which it was bound to modify the domestic laws and harmonize the four different legislations for the disabled.

Rights groups have been divided over the bill. While a group believes it would help disabled people, another section has aired objections, saying it is a totally "watered down" version of the earlier demands.