News

Volume 7 Issue 9 - May 01, 2010

West Zone unanimous too, calls for a ‘New Law’!

Consultation on New Law in progress

D.N.I.S. News Network, India: The West Zone Consultation which also marked the final leg of the Zonal Consultation series came to a close, with leaders of the disability sector strongly asserting the need for a brand new law based on U.N.C.R.P.D. Just as it had been in the three previous consultations held in Delhi, Guwahati and Chennai, the verdict here too was unanimous and in favour of a comprehensive new law with strong implementation mechanisms.

The consultation at Mumbai on April 24 and 25 was organised by the National Association of the Blind (N.A.B.) – India, in association with National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (N.C.P.E.D.P.).

K. Ramkrishna addressing the Consultation

Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, N.C.P.E.D.P. in his session on ‘New Law versus Amendments’ explained the merits of going in for a new law based on U.N.C.R.P.D. rather than patchwork amendments. He also explained at length about N.C.P.E.D.P.’s endeavour in taking the new law debate across the country and to hear the true voice of the leaders of the sector.

The two day meet saw a full house during which leaders from across disabilities discussed, debated and thrashed out issues in six sessions viz New Law versus Amendments, Definition of Disability, Accountability, Legal Capacity, One Law versus Four Laws and Open House.

During the meet, Abidi also took the opportunity to address the West Zone leaders on Census 2011 and explained why this exercise was so important for the disability sector.