Lok Sabha Question No. 3291 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: Prevalance of Disability
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

## LOK SABHA

## PREVALENCE OF DISABILITY

## 3291.  SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  disability  is  more  prevalent  in  rural  areas  than  in  urban  areas,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons therefor;

(b)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  study  to  find  out  the  number  of  disabled  and  their  problems  in  the country;

(c) if so, the details and findings thereof; and

(d) whether  the  Government  is  taking  any  steps  to  develop  adequate  infrastructures  for  the  betterment  of  disabled persons in the rural areas, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(SUSHRI PRATIMA BHOUMIK)

(a) to  (c)  As  per  Census,  2011,  the  total  population  of  the  country  is  121.09  crore  out  of  which  68.8%  of  total populations reside in rural areas as compared to 31.2 % reside in urban areas.

Further, as per Census, 2011 there are 2.68 crores persons with disabilities (PwDs) in the country out of which 69% reside in rural areas as compared to 31% in Urban areas.

The Department receives various inputs from the general public and other stakeholders regarding the problems faced by PwDs such as reservation in government employment, issues related to health etc. The Department takes appropriate action on such matter in consultation with the concerned authorities.

(d)    The  Government  enacted  the  Rights  of  Persons  with  Disabilities  (RPwD)  Act,  2016,  which  came  into  force  on 19.04.2017. Section 25 of the said Act mandates the appropriate Government and local authorities to take measures for persons with disabilities to provide free healthcare in the vicinity specially in rural areas to lower income group. Further, Section 40 of the RPwD Act, 2016, mandates the Central Government to formulate Rules for persons with disabilities (PwDs) laying down the standards of accessibilities for physical environment, transportation, ICT etc. Accordingly, on 15.06.2017,  the  Government  notified,  the  standards  relating  to  physical  environment,  transport  and  information  and communication technology as part of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Rules, 2017. Moreover, Section 44 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, mandates that no establishment can be granted permission to build any structure if the building plan does not adhere to the Rules formulated by the Central Government.

In addition, the Government Implements Scheme for Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016  (SIPDA)  which,  inter-alia,  provides  for  financial  assistance  to  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  and Government  run  organizations  for  creation  of  barrier  free  environment  in  existing  Government  buildings  through construction of lifts, ramps, railing, accessible toilet, tactile tiles, accessible website etc. for the convenience of persons with disabilities (PwDs).

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3291

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2023