A meeting regarding implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 was held here today under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary (SJ&E) Nisha Singh. She asked the officers of various departments to be more sensitive while dealing with various issues of persons with special abilities.She said that RPwD Act, 2016 was implemented in Himachal Pradesh in April, 2017 and as per this act the categories of disabilities were enhanced to 21 from seven. In order to provide government jobs to these persons, reservation was enhanced to four percent from three percent. She said that five percent seats were reserved for providing higher education to this category.Nisha Singh said that present State government has reduced the age limit to 70 years from earlier 80 years for providing old age pension irrespective of income and they were being given Rs. 1300 monthly pension. The persons whose disability was more than 70 percent were being given pension of Rs. 1300 per month. She said that social security pension was increased to Rs. 750 from Rs. 700 and 32808 new eligible persons were being provided pensions from I April, 2018 onwards.
Presently 4,46,805 beneficiaries were being provided social security pension.She said that all government buildings, campus and other facilities should be made barrier-free and accessible and special toilets having facility of wheel chairs should be provided especially in bus stands. She said that five percent reservation should be provided in all poverty alleviation and various developmental schemes with priority to women with benchmark disabilities. She asked the officers of Skill Development Corporation to explore the possibility of providing vocational training to persons with special abilities in Power, Tourism, Transport and Agriculture sectors. She also directed to implement RPwD Act, 2016 in right perspective in their respective departments.Director Social Justice and Empowerment Hans Raj Chauhan detailed various provision of RPwD Act, 2016.Consultant V.K. Modgil gave power point presentation on responsibilities of state government departments under RPwD Act, 2016.Joint Director Robin George presented vote of thanks.