News

Volume 6 Issue 5 - August 15, 2009

P.M. directs H.R.D. Ministry to include all disabilities in Right to Education Act

D.N.I.S. News Network, India: The Right to Education Bill that was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 4 faced tremendous opposition from the disability sector for not including all disabilities in its definition. But the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has written to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (H.R.D.) to ensure that all children with disabilities are covered by this legislation.

This follows the assurance of the Prime Minister to a delegation from the Disabled Rights Group (D.R.G.) that their concerns would be taken care of. Sonia Gandhi is also learnt to share the same view as the Prime Minister. Kapil Sibal in his speech in the Lok Sabha mentioned that disability would be included in the rules so that no one is excluded from the ambit of the legislation.

The sector has welcomed this directive. G. Syamala, Executive Director, who was part of the delegation that met the P.M. says, “It is very good news and indeed a positive sign.” Radhika Alkazi, Managing Trustee and Director, A.A.S.T.H.A. and Vandana Bedi, Consultant, Disability and Development also expressed their happiness at the Prime Minister’s interest and sensitivity towards the needs of children with disabilities.