Disabled groups seek Ansari's support on disability rights bill

An eight-member delegation of disabled groups Monday met Vice President Hamid Ansari to seek his support in ensuring that the Disability Rights Bill is passed in parliament, a statement said.

The bill was approved by the union cabinet Dec 12.

Meeting Ansari, members of the Disabled Rights Group (DRG) and the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) met Ansari and expressed their dismay over the delay in the passage of the bill.

"There has been an inordinate delay in the introduction and passage of the bill which spells out the rights of persons with disabilities despite the drafting process starting over four years back," said a statement.

"We sought the vice president's support in ensuring that this extremely important piece of legislation is taken up by the government for introduction and enactment," it added.

According to the statement, Ansari said that he empathised with the cause of the disabled people and was all for speedy enactment of the legislation.

Ansari further said that since India had signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons (UNCRPD), it is incumbent that it harmonised its laws in consonance with it.