HYDERABAD: The National Platform for Disability Rights (NPRD) has called for protests across the state, saying the Union Budget 2024-25 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman “has the wrong priorities and policies for people with disabilities and other vulnerable sections of society”.
In an official statement, the NPRD expressed strong protest against the continued neglect of persons with disabilities in the country.
“The government’s priorities are wrong, as is evident from the fact that support for the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) has remained almost unchanged. The disregard for the department is also evident from the fact that its allocation of the total budget is now just 0.025 percent, a far cry from the 5 percent inter-ministerial allocation that disability rights groups and activists have been demanding,” said Murlidharan V.
Failure of flagship program
Lacking sufficient budgetary support, major programs such as:
– The Accessible India Campaign has not met the targets and deadlines set by the RPD Act regarding accessibility.
– The allocation for the SIPDA, the implementation plan for the People with Disabilities Act that covers this campaign, has decreased compared to last year.
– Support to autonomous institutions like National Institute, Rehabilitation Council of India and National Trust, which play a key role in providing rehabilitation as education, has also been curtailed.
– Several NT-run schemes will be affected.
– Cuts to scholarships for students with disabilities will force many to drop out of school.
– The pension allocation under the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme has been fixed at Rs 300 crore since 2011 with the central contribution being Rs 300 crore.
3.8% of people with disabilities receive no support
According to the 2011 census, the static system means that 3.8 percent of the country’s disabled people are not receiving adequate benefits. Despite court rulings, disability identification cards are not being issued.
No mention in the Minister’s speech
Exposing Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaram’s negligent and dismissive approach to issues of persons with disabilities, he said she has never thought it wise to mention persons with disabilities.
“Despite a massive increase in revenue, the government’s unwillingness to spend on the disabled and other vulnerable sections shows its regressive nature. We will protest in all states against this approach of the government,” Murlidharan said.