Article:
The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has recently begun to identify 4% of junior civil and electrical engineering posts to be reserved for persons with disabilities (PwD) as mandated by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016(RPwD Act).
The Implementation of the RPwD Act
CPWD is taking actions to fulfil its commitment to the mandate of the RPwD Act. Their regional offices are directed to figure out 4% of the posts where people with benchmark disabilities can be posted. The directive also includes provisions to make “appropriate reasonable accommodation” for PwD.
Their expert committee has suggested that the CPwD should follow the DEPWD’s notification for recruitment to JE(civil and electrical) jobs considering the applicant’s technical qualification.
Constitutional Provisions related to Disability
Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) emphasized the State’s responsibility to secure the rights to work, education and public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement. This subject carries significance in the state list of the Seventh schedule of the Constitution.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016
This Act brought significant changes in the perception and rights of PwD. A Benchmark disability now refers to any type of recognised disability amounting to at least 40%. The number of recognized types of disabilities has increased from 7 to 21 and the Act added a plethora of physical and mental conditions.
It increased the reservation quota in government jobs from 3% to 4% and in higher education institutions from 3% to 5%. Every child with a benchmark disability aged between 6 and 18 years has the right to free education. The Act emphasized ensuring accessibility in public buildings and introduced regulatory bodies for monitoring its implementation.
Government Schemes for PwDs
Various Government schemes aim to provide support and aid to PwDs. Some prominent ones include DISHA (an early intervention scheme), VIKAAS (a day-care scheme), SAMARTH (provides respite home), GHARAUNDA (provides housing and care services), NIRAMAYA (provides Health Insurance) and others that focus on aspects like marketing, training caregivers, and creating awareness.
About Central Public Works Department (CPWD)
Established in July 1854, CPWD serves as a comprehensive construction management department providing services from project concept to completion, consultancy, and maintenance management. CPWD has a presence all over India and is capable of undertaking the construction of complex projects even in difficult terrains. It played a crucial role in constructing stadiums and other infrastructure for Asian Games 1982 and Commonwealth Games 2010.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Question Sample
The given question asked in 2011 pertains to the benefits available to lakhs of persons with disabilities under the law, which included free schooling until the age of 18 years in government-run schools, preferential allotment of land for setting up business, and ramps in public buildings. The correct answer was all three statements.
This forms just a glimpse of the efforts that India is making towards empowering and giving equal opportunities to its disabled citizens. From legal provisions to government schemes, a lot is being done to include PwDs in the mainstream society enabling them to contribute fully to nation-building.
