Disability Rights bill in limbo as session nears end

With just few days remaining for the current session to end, there seems to be little hope for passage of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill which was tabled in Rajya Sabha twelve days back.
The bill, which seeks to broaden the ambit of disability from existing seven to nineteen categories is stuck owing to disruptions in the Parliament on other political issues.
Javed Abidi, convener of the Disabled Rights Group (DRG) who has fought a long battle for the bill to see the light of the day is on a continuous protest along with the members of his organisation to press the political class to pass the bill in the current session of the Parliament.

"If the bill is not passed in this session, then it means stalling it for around two years, as the country is going for elections. Why should a disabled person wait for another two years to get his basic due?" asked Abidi.
The bill expands the definition of disability from seven to 19 and now includes sickle cell disease, thalassemia and muscular dystrophy besides autism spectrum disorder, blindness, cerebral palsy, chronic neurological conditions and mental illness.
It seeks to increase reservation for disabled persons in public sector jobs from existing three per cent to five per cent and reserve seats for them in higher educational institutions.

It also requires all recognised educational institutions to be inclusive and to provide reasonable accommodation.

The bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha amid din on February 7 by Union Minister Mallikarjun Kharge but CPI-M demanded that it should be referred to a Standing Committee for further consideration.
Deputy Chairman P J Kurien then said that Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari will look into the demand.
"Both the Congress and the BJP have assured us of their full support in ensuring the smooth passage of this bill. We are also sincerely hoping to get support from the CPM," Abidi said.

Ironically, the bill has not been opposed by any political party but is stuck owing to disruptions in the Parliament on other issues such as Telangana.
According to DRG, there is a complete lack of political will regarding the passage of the bill from the parties as well as the Ministry of Social Justice.
"We appealed the government to discuss the contentious bills later and first pass the bills which are unanimously accepted by the parties," Abidi said.