News

Volume 7 Issue 7 - April 01, 2010

M.S.J.E. to form an ‘Expert Committee’ to study the demand for a new law

D.N.I.S. News Network, India: More than six months down the line since the disability sector placed its demand for a new Disability Act instead of the proposed amendments, the twists and turns in the ongoing drama within the precincts of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (M.S.J.E.) seem to be getting more and more interesting. The latest ‘twist in the tale’ being the report that an ‘Expert Committee’ is now being hurriedly put together to study this demand!

What will be interesting to observe is as to who in the opinion of the Ministry are ‘experts’ on the issue. This decision will determine whether M.S.J.E. is indeed serious about this nation wide demand or whether it is more interested in an eye-wash. If reports are to be believed, M.S.J.E. has only contacted fringe elements of the sector as of now.

Eyebrows are also being raised as to why the Director in charge of the issue of amendments, Nidhi Khare has suddenly been removed. The task is now assigned to Sunil Kumar Pattnaik, another Director in the Ministry.

Meanwhile, the disability sector is getting more and more restless and impatient at the Ministry’s dilly dallying tactics. National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People and Disabled Rights Group are also on the verge of completing their Zonal Consultations.