News
D.N.I.S. News Network – Finally buckling under pressure from the
disability sector, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (M.S.J.E.)
has gone back on its earlier deadline for suggestions for bringing about rushed
amendments to the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection
of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. The deadline has now been extended
by six months, to 31 January 2007.
This action is reflective of the
manner in which the Ministry has been functioning. The amendment process had
been on the back burner ever since Meira Kumar took over as the Minister over
two years ago. Then suddenly, the Ministry woke up and invited suggestions
from “interested individuals and organisations” for amendment to the Act.
The disability sector was upset
over the Ministry’s apathetic attitude. A.A.D.I. (formerly called Spastics
Society of Northern India,
The so-called consultation process
that followed was more like a window dressing. Never learning from experience,
the M.S.J.E. once again failed to win the confidence of the disability sector
and of disabled people for whose very welfare the Disability Act exists.
But now, thanks to the severe and
all round criticism, and the loud, clear and coherent voices of the disability
movement, the M.S.J.E. has backtracked and postponed its rushed attempt by
six months.