Disabled students to get free education up to university in HP

The disabled students of Himachal Pradesh would get free education up to University level including the professional and vocational courses following compliance of High Court orders.
"The three Universities namely Himachal Pradesh University (Shimla), CSK agriculture University(Palampur) and DR YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry(Solan) made amendments in their rules to comply with High Court Orders of June 4, 2015", Ajay Srivastav, President Umang Foundation, on whose PIL, the HC passed the orders.
"Himachal has become first state in the country to provide free education to disabled persons up to University level", he added.
The HC had ordered the three state universities to make necessary amendments in their rules within a period of six weeks to ensure free education to the disabled children.

It also directed the government to increase the rates of scholarships for disabled students of all classes to Rs 3000 per month, provide necessary teaching faculty, facilities and infrastructure in the special schools at Dhalli, Shimla and Sunder Nagar.
"The high Court order has kindled new hopes among the disabled children who would now have access to higher education without any hindrance and cost", he added.

The court had also directed the Government, Universities, State Public Service Commission and Subordinate Services Selection Board to provide amanuensis (writers) to the blind and other students who cannot write due to disability, as per the provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995.

Expressing satisfaction that the blind, deaf and physically and mentally disabled in the state would have free education up to University level, including professional and vocational education, he said, "I have personally confirmed from the Registrars of all the three Universities about the compliance of the court orders."
"Now the disabled students need not pay any fee in these Universities. The State Government is also making necessary amendments in the rules to provide free education to the disabled", he added.