Lok Sabha Question No. 1265 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: COVID-19 Pandemic and Right of Divyangjans
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy, Manne Srinivas Reddy, Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy

## Government of India Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Lok Sabha

Unstarred Question No: 1265 To be answered on 27.07.2021

## COVID-19 Pandemic and Right of Divyangjans

1265. SHRI KOMATI REDDY VENKAT REDDY: SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY: SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY:

pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government States are working towards supporting inclusive and equal access to opportunities which are important to advance disability rights in India in of the challenges of spite
- (b) if so, the details thereof and ifnot, the reasons therefor: and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SUSHRI PRATIMA BHOUMIK)

- (a) Yes; Sir.

(b) & (c) The Central Government has enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 which came into force on 19.04.2017. Section 8 of the said Act guarantees equal protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk; armed confliet, humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters. The Act, inter-alia. provides for not less than 4% reservation for persons with benchmark disabilities (i.e. disability of 40% or more) in Government employment accessibility in built-up infrastructure. transportation and ICT ecosystem: priority in treatment and access (0 healthcare services for persons with disabilities. These measures are also applicable during the COVID-19 pandemic as well Further; in ordler to implement the provision of reservation in Government employment envisaged under the RPwD Act; 2016, the   Ministry notified the list of' 3566 suitable for various categories of persons with benchmark disabilities on 04.01.2021. posts

On 26.03.2020. the Ministry of Social  Justice & Empowerment issued Comprehensive Disability Inclusive Guidelines for protection and salety of persons with disabilities (Divyangian) during COVID 19' all States/UTs. These  guidelines measures be   adopted by various   States/District authorities to give focused attention to protection and safety Of persons with disabilities during COVID 19. These measures, inter-uliu. include access t0 essential food. water, and medicines for PwDs; priority 24X7 Helpline Number at State Level exelusively for   Divyangjan with   facilities interpretation and video calling: availability of information relating to services and precautions during provide

COVID 19 in accessible format; and issuance 0f passes t0 caregivers Of persons with disabilities during lockdown on priority. These guidelines mandate the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and the District officer dealing with empowerment of Persons with Disabilities t0 act as the State Nodal authority and the District Nodal authority respeetively, to resolve disability specific issues of Persons with Disabilities. This Ministry also set up a dedicated 24x7 toll free Mental Health Rehabilitation helpline service concerns of persons with disabilities during COVID-19.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued Circulars   from time to time. exempting employees with disabilities from attending office:

Ministry of' Health and Family Welfare issued a guidance note on 14.04.2020 to all States/UTs for addressing health concerns of all eitizens ineluding persons with disabilities and enabling them to avail uninterrupted emergency health care services: On 24.04.2020, all the States/UTs were requested by the Ministry of Social  Justice & Empowerment to ensure the centres  for COVID-19 testing & quarantine facilities as well as for treatment at hospitals & health centres:

The Ministry of Rural Development released Rs. 80 crore to the States/UTs under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna (PMGKY) for payment of of Rs. 1000/- in two installments (Rs. 500 each) to 8 lakh existing beneficiaries of Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) gratia ex-

Further, relief t0 Persons with Disabilities is a State Subject by virtue of Entry 9 of the State list of the & programmes to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities during all situations.