News

Volume 2 Issue 16 - August 15, 2004

CAG says government not meeting targets for employment

DNIS News Network - Assessing the government's claims regarding measures adopted to improve the welfare of disabled people, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) slammed instances of poor management of funds, depriving disabled people of opportunities for economic rehabilitation.

In its report, CAG outlined poor implementation of the 3 per cent reservation for disabled people in government jobs and poverty alleviation schemes. It said the government had failed to achieve targets and that funds had not been put to good use.

CAG also found disproportionate allocation of funds within the state with reference to disabled people living in those states, "Delhi with 1.37 per cent handicapped [sic] got merely 11 per cent of the total release by the government."

Referring to an ambitious scheme to establish district disability rehabilitation centres, CAG said, "It is still on paper even after five years. The report indicates 132 centres in India, out of which only 45 are functional and 19 do not have specialised staff."

Pointing out the apathy of officials on the issue, CAG said the Central Coordination Committee and other similar committees set up to review implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act had failed to meet and evaluate the impact of policies and programmes. "The shortfall in their meetings ranges between 43 to 100 per cent at the state level and 50 per cent at the union level," the report pointed out.