NEW DELHI: Setting aside differences over demonetisation that has disrupted Parliament in the Winter session, the House on Friday unanimously passed the Disabilities Bill that provides imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh for discriminating against persons with disabilities.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2016, was earlier passed unanimously in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday while the Lok Sabha also cleared it with all political parties emphasising the need to give better access to people with disabilities.
Introducing the Bill, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot said that the Bill will ensure that no persons with disabilities will be deprived of facilities.
The Bill has increased the ambit of disability types from the existing seven to 21 and included mental illness, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and chronic neurological conditions under its ambit. It further provides for imprisonment of at least six months and up to two years, along with a fine ranging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 5 lakh for discriminating against differently-abled persons.
A division on amendment by the Congress and TRS members seeking to raise the reservation in the Bill from 4 to 5 per cent was witnessed, but it was defeated by 121 to 43 votes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present in the House during the passage of Bill. Replying to the debate, Gehlot said that universal identity card will be provided for the disabled and it would be linked to the Aadhar card to help the disabled all over the country in a seamless fashion.
The Bill that ensures that persons with disabilities enjoy the right to equality, life with dignity and respect for his or her integrity with others also gives effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and related matters.
Meanwhile, the government accused the Congress of adopting “disjointed strategies” to paralyse the Winter session. “The Congress adopted disjointed strategies to disrupt the proceedings of both Houses. While the Congress and other Opposition parties agreed and initiated discussions on demonetisation, they put up conditions for the same in Lok Sabha,” said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on the conclusion of the acrimonious session. Both Houses were later adjourned sine die.