Rights activists welcome passing of Disabilities Bill in Rajya Sabha

New DelhiDisability rights activists today welcomed the passing of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill 2014 in the Rajya Sabha and termed todays discussion in the Upper House almost a miracleFor the first time since the Winter Session began on November 16 Rajya Sabha today saw a legislative action as itpassed the Bill in a cordial atmosphereAfter six years of advocating and waiting the Rajya Sabha unanimously passed the Bill While it seemed like theHouse would not see any legislative business taking place during the ongoing Winter Session todays discussion wasalmost a miracleThe Bill will now be sent to the Lok Sabha and we are positive that it will be passed in the Lower House too duringthe Winter Session itself Javed Abidi Convener of Disabled Rights Group saidSpeaking to reporters after the Rajya Sabha cleared the Bill which stipulates up to twoyear jail term and a maximumfine of Rs 5 lakh for discriminating against differentlyabled persons Union minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said thegovernment will try to present it in the Lower House tomorrowDisabled Rights Group DRG had been campaigning hard forthe last one week for the passage of the Bill A rally was held in New Delhi yesterday appealing the Parliamentarians toset aside their differences and pass the BillWe convey our heartfelt thanks to all members of the Rajya Sabha for the smooth passage of the Bill after adiscussion lasting nearly two hours Muralidharan Secretary National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled saidWe welcome the fact that the some of the major concerns we had raised regarding certain provisions in the Bill havebeen addressed through amendments S K Rungta Convener AIDA an Alliance of organisations for disability rights andGeneral Secretary of National Federation of the Blind saidOne of the major amendment concerns was bringing private entities under the definition of establishment Anotherglaring inadequacy in the Bill was absence of definition of discrimination which has now been introducedAnother amendment provides for sign language interpretation and captioning in TV programmes Reservation in promotions for employees with disabilities has also been provided for in the Bill Rungta saidOn November 30 the Union Cabinet approved the proposed amendments to the Bill that seeks to replace the Persons withDisabilities Equal Opportunities Protection of Rights and Full Participation Act 1995The amended Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill2014 proposes to increase reservation for those with benchmark disabilities in government jobs from current three per cent to four per cent and in higher educationalinstitutes from the existing three per cent to five per centIt also proposes strengthening the office of chief commissioner and state commissioners for Persons with Disabilities which will act as regulatory bodies