Constitution of a Committee to draft a new legislation to replace the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. ("PwD Act").
F.No. 16-38/2006-DD.III
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi
Date: 30/04/2010
Office Memorandum
Sub:Constitution of a Committee to draft a new legislation to replace the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. ("PwD Act").
The PwD Act, 1995, has now been in force for over 14 years. Keeping in view the experience of its working over this period, and the need to harmonize its provisions with those of the United Nations Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 2008, and of other legislations on the subject, extensive consultations with various stakeholders including State Governments, NGOs and experts have been carried out. The Central Coordination Committee considered the matter in its meeting dated 21.07.2009, after which a comprehensive draft of amendments necessary in the Act was formulated and circulated to State Governments/Union Territories and concerned Union Ministries in September, 2009, for comments. The draft was also posted on the Ministry's website seeking comments from the public.
In response to the above, comments have been received from several State Governments, Central Ministries, Non- Government Organizations and others.
2. A Committee is hereby constituted to examine the above responses and draft a new legislation to replace the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.
