SC asks states to implement act on rights of persons with disabilities

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked all states and union territories (UTs) to implement within three months, the 2016 Act on the rights of persons with disabilities.

A division bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice S. Abdul Nazeer asked states and UTs to file reports regarding compliance of provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.

The court's order came on a plea filed by the Justice Sunanda Bhandare Foundation seeking direction to the Central government and all states to implement the 2016 Act.

During the hearing, Advocate Manali Singhal, appearing for the foundation told the court that Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Lakshadweep have filed affidavit stating compliance of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. However, the court had sought compliance of 2016 Act.

In 2016, amendments were made in Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 and the apex court had asked states and UTs to implement provisions of new Act.

As compared to the 1995 Act, various new provisions have been included in the 2016 Act and it has expanded the horizon of the rights of such persons, Singhal said.

The apex court had last year asked states to "scrupulously" follow the 2016 Act on the rights of persons with disabilities.

The court had said that 2016 Act is a "sea change in the perception" and exhibits a march forward look with regard to persons with disabilities and roles of state governments, local authorities, educational institutes and companies are given there.

--IANS

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