Thaawarchand Gehlot, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment inaugurated the “15th National Meeting of the State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)” to review Implementation of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of rights and Full Participation) Act-1995.
The two days meeting has been organized by the Office of the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities under Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Addressing on the occasion, Thaawarchand Gehlot said “During past three years, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has become very active and vibrant. It has organized more 5,200 ADIP camps for distribution of assistive devices to Divyangjans and four world records have been created. After the passing of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Bill, the categories of Divyangjans have increased from 7 to 21 and now its implementation should be properly taken care of by all concerned.”
He opined that the government wants to strengthen the commissioner system in all the states and full time commissioners will serve their purpose in a better way and also also stressed on the people’s participation in this effort.
During the two days meeting, the focus was on education, employment/self-employment, accessible environment and social security etc for Persons with disabilities in the states and union territories was reviewed and strategy for more effective implementation of the Act is being formulated.
