GoM on Disablity Bill meets, reviews certain clauses

A Group of Ministers today examined the provisions laid down in the draft of Right of Persons with Disabilities Bill 2014, which will replace the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995, and suggested review of its certain clauses.
According sources in the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry, the GoM has review of certain provisions in proposed Bill.
"GoM has suggested review of the provision of setting up of National Commission and State Commission to act as Grievance Redressal Mechanism, monitor implementation of proposed legislation replacing the Chief Commissioner and State Commissioners for persons with disabilities.

"Also, the the 19 disabilities in the Schedule to the Bill will be reviewed," said a source.
The GoM is headed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi as its members.
In the draft bill, the number of disabilities has been raised from 7 to 19.

It includes Autism Spectrum Disorder, Blindness, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic neurological conditions, Deafblindness, Hemophilia, Hearing impairment, Intellectual disability, Leprosy cured person, Locomotor disability, Low vision, Mental illness, Muscular dystrophy, Multiple sclerosis, Specific learning disabilities, Speech and language disability, Thalassemia, Sickle cell disease and Multiple disability.

The Right of Persons with Disabilities Bill 2014, which makes accessibility a mandatory requirement under the law, is going to replace the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995.
The GoM would examine the Bill before it is brought before the Cabinet for an approval.
The draft Bill also enhances penalty for outraging the modesty of a woman with disability and termination of pregnancy after the consent of a guardian and medical practitioners.
Under the draft Bill, the percentage of reservation has been raised from 3 to 5.