JnK govt approves bill for welfare of persons with disabilities

Further, the bill envisages the increase in the types of disabilities from existing 7 to 21 categories as 14 new types of disabilities have been incorporated with special provisions for high support needs and benchmark disabilities.

The reservation for the persons with disabilities has been enhanced from 3 per cent to 4 per cent.

There is the provision of guardianship; grievance redressal mechanism besides a provision for insurance cover for employees with disabilities.

The proposes admission of disabled people in educational institutions without discrimination, their vocational training and self-employment and non-discrimination in employment.

It provides for the free education of children with benchmark disabilities and identification of posts in the establishments which can be held by respective category of persons with benchmark disabilities and reservation of 4 per cent of the total number of vacancies in the cadre strength in each group of posts meant to be filled with persons with benchmark disabilities.

The bill envisages incentives to employers in the private sector if at least 5 per cent of their workforce composes of persons with benchmark disabilities.

Furthermore, it provides for the social audit of all general schemes and programmes involving the disabled as well as the speedy trial for offences under the act by the establishment of special courts.