Disability rights body alleges Centre’s ‘neglect’ in Union Budget, plans nationwide stir

Hyderabad: The National Platform for the Rights of Disabled (NPRD) has called for protests across all states as the Union Budget 2024-25 presented by finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman has ‘misplaced priorities and policies towards disabled and weaker sections of the society.’

In a public statement, the NPRD recorded a strong protest over the continued disregard for the disabled in the country.

General secretary Murlidharan V said, “The priorities of the government are misplaced. It is evident since support for the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) remains almost the same. The disdain with which the department is being treated is revealed by the fact that allocations as a proportion to the total budget are currently a mere 0.025 per cent, a far cry from the 5 per cent allocation across ministries that disability rights organisations and activists have been demanding.”

Failure of flagship programmes

Due to the lack of adequate budgetary support, there is a failure of flagship programs like:

- The Accessible India campaign not meeting its targets and the deadlines set by the RPD Act for accessibility.

- Allocation for the Scheme for the Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA) under which this campaign falls, has seen a decrease compared to last year.

- Support to autonomous bodies like the National Institutes, the Rehabilitation Council of India as also the National Trust which play an important role in providing rehabilitation as education has also been reduced.

- Several schemes run by the NT will be impacted.

- The reduction in scholarships for students with disabilities will force many to drop out.

- Pension allocations for the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme have made the central share static at RS 300 since 2011.

3.8 per cent of disabled not getting support

According to the 2011 census, the coverage of pension is restricted to only 3.8 percent of the disabled population. Due to this out of 100 only 3.8 disabled persons are getting pension. The Antayodaya Anna Yojana cards have not been extended despite court verdicts.

No mention in the minister’s speech

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaram has not even once found it prudent to refer to people with disabilities exposing the lackadaisical and contemptuous approach to disability issues, he said.

Murlidharan said, “That the government is unwilling to spend on the disabled and other marginalised despite a substantial increase in its revenue earnings points to its regressive nature. We are going to protest in all states against this approach of the government.”