CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS FOR WOMEN

The constitution of India not only grants equality to women, but also empowers the state to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women for neutralising the cumulative socio -  economic, educational and political disadvantages faced by them. The Indian Constitution grants a number of Rights that protect the interest of all citizen, particularly women. Following are some instances of some Fundamental and non – Fundamental Rights that specifically protect the interest of women
Article 15 (1) The state shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them. 
Article 15 (3) The state to make any special provision in favour of women and children . 
Article 16 Equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to     employment or appointment to any office under the state
Article 23 (1) Trafficking of Human beings and forced labour are prohibited
Article 39 (a) The state should direct its policy towards securing for men and women equally the right to an adequate means of livelihood
Article 39 (d) Equal pay for equal work for both men and women
Article 39 A To promote justice, on a basis of equal opportunity and to provide free legal aid by suitable legislation or scheme or in any other way to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities
Article 42  The state to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.
Article 51 (A)(e) To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women 
Article 243 D (3)  Not less than one – third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat to be reserved for women and such seats to be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Panchayat
Article 243 D (4) Not less than one – third of the total number of offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level to be reserved for women
Article 243 T (3)  Not less than one – third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every municipality to be reserved for women and such seats to be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a municipality
Article 243 T (4) Reservation of offices of chairpersons in municipalities for the Scheduled Castes. The Scheduled Tribe and women in such manner as the legislature of a state may by law provide

Priyadarshani Scheme

With a vision to make the women powerful by offering loans to women industrialist, a proposal named as ‘Priyadarshnini Yojana’ was started in the year of 1989 in India. Under this scheme, women industrialist are given comprehensive loan services at liberal conditions and at concessional fee of interest, for financial actions. The woman entrepreneur availing this facility under the scheme must be having hold of not fewer than 52% the fiscal holding

Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK)

The National Credit Fund for Women was set – up in 1993 to meet the credit needs of asset – less and poor women in the informal sector.
As a channelising agent, its primary role is to act as an apex organisation to direct funds from the government and donors to retailing Intermediate Micro – finance Organization (IMOs), which lend to SHGs. The RMK provides IMOs loans at an interest rate of 8% for three to five years.  However, after onward lending, the women borrowers are charged much higher rates of interest which goes up to 18% per annum .

Relief to Rehabilitation of Rape Victims

in 1996, the Hon’ble Supreme Court directed the National Commission for Women (NCW) to evolve a scheme to ensure rehabilitation of victims of sexual assault. A schemes known as Relief to rehabilitation of rape victims has finally been formulated. The scheme envisages a relief package of up to 3 lakh to the survivors

Swadhar and Short Stay Homes

In 2001 – 02, the Ministry of Women and child Development launched the central sector Swadhar scheme for meeting the safety and protection needs of women. Apart from basic shelter services the scheme also provides for counselling, legal support, skill upgradation and a helpline for women in distress.
A similar scheme of Short Stay Homes (SSHs) also addresses the critical needs of people in difficult circumstances. The common complaints against both these schemes are

• Poor quality of services
• Lack of medical support and counselling
• Insufficient budget allocation
• Irregular fund releases, and
• Non – availability of market – oriented vocational training

Janani Suraksha Yojna

The JSY was launched in 2005 as a part of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to improve maternal and neonatal health by promotion of institutional deliveries. JSY is 100% centrally sponsored scheme and it integrates cash assistance with delivery and post delivery care. It is implemented through ASHA, the accredited social health activist, acting as an effective link between the government and poor pregnant women under this scheme

Ujjawala Scheme

The problem of cross – border trafficking especially of young children and women from Bangladesh and Nepal into India, has been growing in recent years. This issue of trafficking was highlighted in the 11th plan and a new CSS Ujjawala ( Central Sector Scheme) was launched in 2007

This scheme has five components :

1. Prevention  Formation of community vigilance groups and adolescent groups Awareness and sensitisation of functionaries like the police and community leaders through preparation of IEC material and workshop
2. Rescue Safe withdrawal of the victim from the place of exploitation
3. Rehabilitation  Provisions of state shelters for victims with fulfillment of basic needs, such as foods, clothing, counselling, medical care, legal aid and vocational training and income generation activities
4. Reintegration Restoration of the victim to the family/community (only if she desires) and covering the costs involved
5. Repatriation Support to cross – border victims for their safe repatriation to the country of their origin

Support to The Training And Employment Programme For Women (STEP)

STEP provides training for skill upgradation to poor and asset – less women in traditional sectors of agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy, fisheries , handlooms, handicrafts, khadi and village industries, sericulture, social forestry and wasteland development. Based on the evaluation done in 2007 the scheme has been revised to include training in accordance with market demand, enhancement of beneficiary norms, designating the Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) as the nodal agency and including other financial institutions as funding agencies

Dhanalakshmi Scheme

Government of India has introduced ‘Dhanalakshmi’ a scheme for incentivising birth of the girl child. The Scheme was launched on a pilot basis, on 3rd March, 2008 in 11 blocks of 7 states. Financial assistance of the amount of Rs 5000 for the birth and registration component, is available to girls born after the cut – off date of 19th November, 2008

The Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY)

The IGMSY is a flagship programme of the Government of India, introduced in 2010, under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The Scheme was implemented on pilot basis in 53 selected districts.
It is a conditional cash transfer scheme that targets pregnant and lactating women 19 year of age and older, who have had two children. Its goal is to partly compensate them for wage – loss during childbirth and childcare and to provide conditions for safe delivery and good nutrition and feeding practices.
All pregnant women of 19 years of age and above are eligible for the benefits, except those who receive paid maternity leave. It envisions the achievement of its objective by :

• Promoting appropriate practice, care and institutional service utilisation during pregnancy, delivery and lactation
• Encouraging the women to follow (optimal) nutrition and feeding practices, including early and exclusive breast – feeding for the first 6 months
• Providing cash incentives for improved health and nutrition to pregnant and lactating mothers

National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW)

The Committee of Governors (CoG) set up to study and recommend strategies for speedy socio – economic empowerment of women recommended the “Establishment of National Mission for socio – economic empowerment of Women”. National Mission for Empowerment of Women was operationalised during the financial year 2011 – 12 as Centrally Sponsored Scheme in April 2011. The focus was to bring convergence of efforts through inter – sectoral coordination amongst different ministries and programmes with Ministry of Women and child development (MWCD) as the nodal agency/ministry for achieving holistic empowerment of women agency/ministry     Following the restructuring of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) during the 12th Plan period, NMEW was approved for continuation as a sub – scheme of the Umbrella Scheme for Protection and Development of Women
The revised NMEW Scheme aims to achieve holistic empowerment of women through convergence of schemes/ programmes of different Ministries/Department of Government of India as well as State Governments. Under the revised Scheme, technical support to Ministry of Women and Child Development is being provided by domain experts who are involved in the implementation and monitoring of new initiatives of the Ministry like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP Scheme), One Stop Centres, Women Helping etc. and also facilitates convergence of schemes/programmes of different Ministries/Departments with focus on women. At the national level experts engaged in the area of :

1. Poverty alleviation economic empowerment
2. Health and nutrition,
3. Gender budgeting and Gender mainstreaming
4. Gender rights gender based violence and law enforcement
5. Empowerment of vulnerable and marginalised groups
6. Social empowerment and education
7. Media and advocacy and
8. Information technology

The scheme aims to strengthen the conceptual and programmatic basis of women centric schemes/programmes implemented by the MWCD, other Ministries and State Government with the mechanism for convergence.
Training and Capacity Building to enhance and strengthen understanding of gender issues, build a Resource Pool (trainers) at the National and State level to bridge gaps between knowledge and practice will be the other focus area of NMEW.
It was renamed Mission Poorna Shakti, implying a vision for holistic empowerment of women. Moreover, a National Resource Centre for Women has been set up which functions as a national convergence centre all schemes and programmes for women. It acts as a central repository of knowledge, information , research and data on all gender related issues and is the main body servicing the national and state mission authority

Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG) : SABLA

The morbidity and mortality rates for women and children have shown limited improvement. Since , the health and well – being of a new born is intrinsically linked to the health of her mother, improvements in nutritional standards of girl children are essential to break the inter – generational cycle of malnutrition. Thus, SABLA scheme was imitated on 1st April 2011. The scheme aims at empowering adolescent girls along with improving their nutritional and health status

Nirbhaya Fund

Nirbhaya Fund is an Indian rupee 10 billion corpus announced by Government of India in 2013 Union Budget.     This fund is expected to support initiatives by the government and NGOs working towards protecting the dignity and ensuring safety of women in India. The ministry of women and child development along with several other concerned ministries will work out details of the structure, scope and application of this fund.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Abhiyan

The “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” Yojana (Save Daughter, Educate Daughter) to save and empower the girl child was launched in January, 2015. with an initial corpus of Rs. 100 crore, the scheme has been launched in 100 districts having poor sex ratio across the country. The objectives of this initiative are:

• Prevention of gender biased sex selective elimination
• Ensuring survival and protection of the girl child
• Ensuring education and participation of the girl child

Sukanya Samriddhi Account

Sukanya Samriddhi Account is a special deposit account under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (Girl Child Prosperity Scheme) launched in January, 2015 with the stated aim of improving the welfare of female children in India
One of the key benefits of the scheme is that it is quite affordable and offers one of the highest rates of interest currently it is set as 9.2% per year for 2015 – 16
Till a girl attains an age of 10 years, the Sukanya Samriddhi Account Yojana can be opened under her name. the opening amount for the account is Rs. 1,000 Thereafter a multiple of Rs 100 can be deposited to the account with a minimum of Rs. 1,000 per year.
The maximum limit for deposits in the account is Rs. 1,50,000 per year. The maturity duration of the account is 21 years from the date of opening the account
It provides provision for free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to fourteen years in such manner at the state may by law determine

One Stop Centre Scheme

It is centrally sponsored scheme for setting up one stop centre implemented through states and Uts from 1st April 2015. It is a sub scheme of umbrella scheme for National Mission for Empowerment of Women including Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana. These centres will be established across the country to provide integrated support and assistance under one roof to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces in phased manner

MAA Programme

MAA (Mother Absolute Affection) is a nation wide breastfeeding promotion programme, launched by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 5 August 2016 . It promotes breastfeeding and provisions of Counselling services for supporting breastfeeding. The chief components of the programme are community awareness, strengthening communication through ASHA, skilled support of breastfeeding at delivery point in public health facilities, monitoring awards etc.

StandUp India Scheme

The StandUp India Scheme was launched on 5 April 2016 to promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women entrepreneurs. The scheme is intended to facilitate at least two such projects per bank, on an average one for each category      of entrepreneurs. Refinance window through Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is opened with an initial amount of Rs 10,000 crore. Creation of a credit guarantees mechanism through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC). Hand holding support for borrowers both at the pre loan stage and during operations. Presently only 9% of startups in India are led by women

Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana (PMUY)

This is the first ever welfare scheme launched by Ministry of petroleum and Natural Gas in 2016.5 Crore LPG connection will be provided to BPL families with a support of Rs 1600 each household in next three years. Connection will be given in the name of women beneficiaries

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan (PMSMA)

It was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family welfare (MOHFW) on 9 June, 2016. it aims to provide, assured comprehensive and quality antenatal care, free of cost, universally to all pregnant women on the 9th of every month. It envisages to improve the quality and effectiveness of Antenatal Care (ANC) including diagnostics and counselling services as part of Reproductive Maternal Newborn child and Adolescent Health (RMNC H + A) strategy

Gender Budgeting

Gender Budgeting (GB) is a powerful tool for achieving gender mainstreaming so as to ensure that benefits of development reach women as much men. It is not an accounting exercise but an ongoing process formulation, its implementation and review. GB entails dissection of the Government budget to establish its gender differential impacts and to ensure that gender commitments are translated in budgetary commitments
The rationale for gender budgeting arises from recognition of the fact that national budget impact men and women differently through the pattern of resource allocation. Women, constitute 48% of India’s population, but they lag behind men on many social indicators like health education, economic opportunities etc.
Hence they warrant special attention due to their vulnerability and lack of access to resources. The way Government budgets allocate resources has the potential to transform these gender inequalities. In view of this, gender budgeting as a tool for achieving gender mainstreaming has been propagated. Gender Budget cells have been set up in 56 ministries which have been oriented to GB. This is a continuous process and constantly needs reinforcement. Efforts are made to sensitise states and local urban and rural bodies to the concept and practice of GB

Special provision for children has been made in the Constitution of India, under the chapter of Fundamental Right, Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties. Some Articles in the Constitution of India which have children as their special focus. These are as follows :
Article 15 (3) The State is empowered to make any special provision for children. In other words, this provision enables the state to make affirmative discrimination in favour of children
Article 21A   The Right to Education, inserted in the Constitution via 86th Amendment Act. It provides provisions for free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years in such manner as the state may determine (by law)
Article 23 (1) Trafficking in human beings and forced labour are prohibited
Article 24 No child below the age of 14 years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in hazardous employment.
Article 39 (f) The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing. .. That children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment 
Article 45 The state shall endeavour to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years
Article 51A (k) who is a parent or guardian, to provide opportunities for education to his child or as the case may be, ward between the age of 6 and 14 years

National Policy of Children 2013

• It recognizes a child to be a person below the age of 18 years
• It recognizes that children are not a homogenous group and require different responses
• It aims to give a social safety net to family to help nurture child
• It says that every child has universal, inalienable and indivisible human rights
• It has four priority areas: survival, health and nutrition, Education and development, child protection

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Programme
The Integrated Child Development Services Programme aims at providing services to pre – school children in an integrated manner so as to ensure proper growth and development of children in rural, tribal and slum areas. Launched on 2nd October, 1975 in 33 Community Development Blocks. ICDS today represents one of the world’s largest programmes for early childhood development
ICDS is the foremost symbol of India’s commitment to her children in response to the challenge of providing pre – school education on one hand and breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition, morbidity, reduced learning capacity and mortality, on the other . It is an inter – sectoral programme which seek to directly reach out to children, below 6 years especially from vulnerable and remote areas and give them a head – start by providing an integrated programme of early childhood education, health and nutrition
Objectives

• To improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age group of 0 to 6 years
• To lay the foundations for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child
• To reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school drop – out
• To achieve effective coordination of policy and implementation amongst the various departments to promote child development
• To enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education

Evaluation of ICDS

The ICDS, though well – intended, suffers from discrepancies and lack of commitment to providing quality care for the vulnerable and the needy. Its focus has been mainly on quantitative coverage, food distribution to the three to five year age group and pre – school education. It need to concentrate on pregnant women and children under too.

Integrated Child Protection Scheme ( ICPS)

The Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented in 2009. it aimed at building a protective environment for children in   difficult circumstances, as well as other vulnerable children, through Government – Civil Society Partnership. The Scheme sets – up a child protection data management system to formulate and implement effective intervention strategies and monitor their outcomes

Objectives

ICPS brings together multiple existing child protection schemes under one comprehensive umbrella and integrates additional interventions for protecting children and preventing harm. ICPS, therefore, would institutionalise essential services and strengthen structures, enhance capacities at all levels, create database and knowledge base for child protection services, strengthen child protection at family and community level, ensure appropriate inter – sectoral response at all levels

SABLA and Saksham

The government launched nation’s first comprehensive adolescent health programme called as Rashtriya Kishor Swathya Karyakarm. The first scheme under this programmes is Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for empowerment of Adolescent Girls ‘SABLA’ and the target beneficiaries are adolescent girls in the age group of 11 – 18 years
SABLA is a centrally – Sponsored Scheme implemented through the State Government / UTs with 100% financial assistance from the centre for all inputs other than nutrition provision for which 50% central assistance to states would be provided. Anganwadi centres would be the focal point for delivery of services

In 2010 a group of ministers, recommended the implementation of ‘Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls – SABLA in selected 200 districts of the country. The 200 districts were selected based on set of indicators related to health, nutrition and education of adolescent girls and include well – administered, moderate and more difficult districts in equal proportion in all States/Uts
Saksham is a new scheme proposed for holistic development of adolescent boys, on the pattern of SABLA.  The proposed scheme Saksham, would aim at the all – round development of adolescent boys to make them self reliant, gender – sensitive and aware citizens, when they grow up.
The scheme will primarily focus on all out – of – school adolescent boys ( 10 to 18 years ) the platform for the scheme is to be provided by the local Panchayat or Municipal Committee.

National Child Labour Project (NCLP)

It is a project of Ministry of Labour launched in 2010. Its basic objective is to suitably rehabilitate the children withdrawn from employment thereby reducing the incidence of child labour in areas of known concentration of child labour
The NCLP project seeks the following objectives :

• To eliminate all forms of child labour through :
• Identification and withdrawal of all children in the Project Area from child labour.
• Preparing children withdrawn from work for mainstream education along with vocational training
• Ensuring convergence of services provided by different government department/agencies for the benefit of child and their family 
• To contribute to the withdrawal of all adolescent workers from Hazardous Occupations and their Skilling and integration in appropriate occupations through facilitating vocational training opportunities through existing scheme of skill development
• Raising awareness amongst stakeholders and target communities, and orientation of NCLP and other functionaries on the issues of ‘Child Labour’ and ‘employment of adolescent workers in hazardous occupations/ process’
• Creation of a child laobur Monitoring, Tracking and Reporting System

Target Groups of the Project

The target groups of the project are all child workers below the age of 14 years in the identified target area,  adolescent workers below the age of 18 years in the target area engaged in hazardous occupations
It also targets families of child workers in the identified target area.

Strategy of the Scheme

To create an enabling environment in the target area, where children are motivated and empowered through various measures to enroll in schools and refrain from working, households will be provides with alternatives to improve their income levels. It will be implemented in close coordination with State, district administration and civil society. Elimination of child labour is joint responsibility of the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the State Government

Expected Outcomes of the Project

The expected outcomes of the project are :

• Contribute to the identification and eradication of all forms of child labour
• Contribute to the identification and withdrawal of adolescents from hazardous occupations and processes in the target area
• Successful mainstreaming into regular schools of all children who have been withdrawn from child labour and rehabilitated through the NCLPS.
• Adolescents withdrawn from hazardous occupations to have benefited from skills training permissible occupations
• Better informed communities, specific target groups and the public at large as a result of the social Mobilization programme and Awareness about the ill effects of child laobur
• Enhanced capacities to address the issue of child labour through training of NCLP  staff and other functionaries

The Protection of Children from Sexual offences (POCSO) Act, 2012

The Act has come into force from 14th November, 2012. The law has been drafted to strengthen the legal provisions for the protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation. The salient features of the landmark act are appended below.

1. The Protection of children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years and provides protection to all children under the age of 18 years from the offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography
2. The act provides for stringent punishments, which have been graded as per the gravity of the offence. The punishments range from simple to rigorous imprisonment of varying periods. There is also provision for fine, which is to be decided by the court
3. An offence is treated as ‘aggravated’ when committed by a person in a position of trust or authority of child such as a member of security forces, police officer, pubic servant etc.
4. The Act provides for the establishment of Special courts for trial of offences under the Act, keeping the best interest of the child as of paramount importance at every stage of the judicial process. The act incorporates child friendly procedures for reporting, recording of evidence, investigation and trial of offences. These include -

• Recording the statement of the child at the residence of the child or at the place of his choice, preferably by a woman police officer not below the rank of sub – inspector
• No child to be detained in the police station in the night for any reason.
• Police officer not be in uniform while recording the statement of the child
• The statement of the child to be recorded as spoken by the child
• Assistance of special educator or any person familiar with the manner or communication of the child in case the child is disabled
• Medical examination of the child to be conduct in the presence of the child or any other person on whom the child has trust or confidence. In case, the victim is a girl child, the medical examination shall be conducted by a woman doctor
• Frequent breaks for the child during trial
• Child not to be called repeatedly to testify
• No aggressive questioning or character murder/killing of the child
• In – camera trial of cases

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015

It aims to replace the existing Indian juvenile delinquency law, Juvenile Justice (care and Protection of children)Act, 2000. So, that Juveniles in conflict with law in the age group of 16 – 18 involved in heinous offences can be tried as adults. The Act came into force from 15 January, 2016

Highlights of the Act

The bill permits juveniles between the ages of 16 – 18 years to be tried as adults for heinous offences. Also, any child (16 – 18) years old, who commits a lesser serious offence may be tried as an adult only if he is apprehended after the age of 21 years Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) and child Welfare Committees (CWC) will be constituted in each district. The JJB will conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine whether a juvenile offender is to be sent for rehabilitation or be tried as an adult. The CWC will determine institutional care for children in need of care and protection. Eligibility of adoptive parents and procedure for adoption have been included in the Bill.
Penalties against for child cruelty, offering a narcotic substance to a child, and abduction or selling a child have also been prescribed. 

The child Labour ( Prohibition and Regulation ) Amendment Act, 2016

An act to prohibit the engagement of children in all occupations and to prohibit the engagements of adolescents in hazardous occupations and processes and the matters connected there with or incidental there too. This Act has completely banned employment of children below 14 in all occupations and enterprises, except  those run by his or her own family provided that education does not hampered. The 1986 Act prohibited the employment of children under 14 years in certain occupations like bidi making mines, domestic work, power looms, automobile workshops, carpet weaving etc.
Addition of a new category of persons called adolescent it defines children between 14 to 18 years as adolescents and bars their employment in any hazardous occupations
The Act makes child labour a cognizable offence. Employing children below 14 years will attract a jail term between 6 months to two years ( earlier 3 months to 1 years) or a penalty between twenty thousands to fifty thousands rupees or both for the first time.
The act has a provision of creating rehabilitation fund for the rehabilitation of children.
The number of hazardous occupation has been brought down from 13 to 3. the three occupations are mining., inflammable, substances and hazardous processes under the factories act.
The Act empowers the government to make periodic inspection of places at which employment of children and adolescents are prohibited

National Action Plan For Children, 2016

National Action Plan for Children, 2016 (NPAC) was launched by Ministry of Women and Child development (WCD) to celebrate the National Girl child Day

Provisions of the Action Plan

Some of the provision of the National Child Action Plan of 2016 are as follows :

• On Child Survival, Health and Nutrition It will help in the improving child health by universalizing the material and child healthcare. It will also give emphasis on new born care by initiatives like universal immunization. It will prevent mental and physical disabilities through timely measures for pre – natal,  peri – natal and post – natal care of mother and child
• On Education and Development It will provide universal and equitable access to quality Early Childhood care and Education (ECCE) for all children below six year of age. It will promote affordable and accessible quality education up to the secondary level for all children   
• On Child Protection It will help strengthen legislative, administrative, and institutional redressal mechanisms for Child Protection at all level
• On child Protection It will ensure that children actively participate in planning and implementation of programmes concerning them,

Significance of the Action Plan

NPAC will take sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in account and provide a roadmap to achieve them .
NPAC puts focus on emerging concerns for children such as online child abuse, children affected by disasters and climate change etc.
According to the 2013 policy, NPAC will form a National Co – ordination and Action Group (NCAG) under the Ministry of WCD. It will coordinate, implement and monitor the plan.

Indian Constitution abolishes any discrimination, to any class of persons, on ground of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth (article 15(1)). It is in pursuance of this ideal that the Constitution has abolished communal representation or reservation of seats in the legislatures or in any public office on the basis of religion
However, the directive principles enjoins the state to take special care in promoting the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the society and in particular the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and to protect them from social injustice. Any such provision made by the state cannot be challenged on the ground of being discriminatory. Similarly, the part III of the Constitution guarantees Fundamental Rights and provides many provisions protection minority rights
The following provisions have been made in the Constitution for welfare of the SC and ST
Article 15 (4) It says that government can make special provisions for SCs and STs in the name of ‘positive discrimination’ 
Article 17 It says that untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising out of untouchability shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law
Article 19 (5) The Right to move freely throughout the territory of India and the right to reside and settle in any part of territory of India can be restricted on the grounds of the protection of interests of STs
Article 330 Seats shall be reserved for the SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha
Article 244 (1) The Provisions of fifth schedule shall apply to the administration and control of the scheduled areas and schedule tribes in any state other than the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
Article 244 (2) The Provision of sixth scheduled shall apply to the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
Article (164 – A) The state is empowered to provide for reservation in promotion (with consequential seniority) to any service under the state in favour of SCs and STs
Article 46 It says that educational and economic interests of SCs and STs shall be protected and promoted
Article 164 Says that in the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa there Shall be a minister in charge of tribal welfare who shall also be in charge of the welfare of SCs and other backward classes
Article 330 Seats shall be reserved for the SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha
Article 332 Seats shall be reserved for the STs and SCs in the State Legislative Assembly
Article 244 (1) The Provisions of fifth schedule shall apply to the administration and control of the scheduled areas and schedule tribes in any state other than the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
Article 244 (2) The provision of sixth scheduled shall apply to the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
Article (164 – A) The state is empowered to provide for reservation in promotion (with consequential seniority) to any service under the state in favour of SCs and STs
Article 46 It says that educational and economic interests of SCs and STs shall be protected and promoted
Article 164 Says that in the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa there shall be a minister in charge of tribal welfare who shall also be in charge of the welfare of SCs and other backward classes
Article 275 It provides for grants – in – aid to the states for promoting the welfare of Scheduled Tribes
Article 335 It says that claims of the members of SCs and STs shall be taken into consideration consistent with the maintenance of the efficiency in administration in appointments under the union and the states
Article 338 It says that there shall be a National Commission for SCs
Article 338A It says that there shall be a National Commission for STs

Special Education Development Programme

The main objective of this scheme is to provide a package of education inputs through residential schools for Scheduled Castes girl in areas of very low literacy and where traditions and environment are not conductive to learning amongst SC girls. This scheme is implemented by the Zilla Parishads of the concerned districts.

Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Scheduled Castes Sub – Plan (SCPS)

Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Scheduled Castes sub – Plan (SCPS) is a central scheme under which 100% grant is given to the States/Uts as an additive to  their Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP). The main objective is to give a thrust to family oriented schemes of economic development of SCs below the poverty line, by providing resources for filling the critical gaps and for providing missing vital inputs so that the schemes can be more meaningful 
Since, the schemes/ programmes for SCs may be depending upon the local occupational pattern and the economic activities available the State/Uts have been given full flexibility in utilising SCA with the only condition that it should be utilised in conjunction with SCSP and other resources available from other sources like various corporations, financial institution etc.
State Government have been given flexibility in choice of schemes to be implemented out of Special Central Assistance, within the overall framework of the scheme

Central Sector Scholarship of Top Class Education for SC Students

objective of the scheme is to promote qualitative education amongst SC students, by providing full financial support for pursuing studies beyond 12th class. There are 207 institutions of excellence spread all over the country in the list of identified institutions
List of identified institution include all IIMs, IITs, NITs Commercial pilot training institutions and reputed medical/law and other institutions of excellence.
The SC students, who secure admission in the notified institutions, according to the norms prescribed by the respective institutions, will be eligible for the scholarship under the scheme to the extent of the number of scholarships allocated to the institutions concerned
A total of 1250 slots are to be granted scholarships every year. Courses of study covered are engineering, medical/dentistry, law, management and other specialised streams. SC students whose total family income is up to Rs. 4.50 lakhs per annum are eligible for the scholarship

Pre – Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste Students

The objective of the scheme are :

• To support parents of SC children for education of their childrens studying in classes IX and X so that the incidence of drop – out, especially in the transition from the elementary to the secondary stage is minimised.
• To improve participation of SC children in classes IX and X of the pre – matric stage, so that they perform better and have a better chance of progressing to the post – matric stage of education

 

     Eligibility conditions are :

• Student should belong to Scheduled Caste.
• His/Her Parent/Guardian’s income should not exceed Rs 2 lakh per annum
• She/he should not be getting any centrally funded Pre – Matric Scholarship
• She/he should be a regular, full time student studying in a government school or in a school recognised by Government or a Central/State Board of Secondary Education
• Scholarship for studying in any class will be available for only one year. If a student has to repeat a class. she/he would not get scholarship for that class for a second (or subsequent) year

Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)

The Central Government have approved implementation of a new centrally – sponsored Pilot Scheme called Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY) from the financial year, 2009 – 10, for integrated development of 1000 villages in the country, each with more than 50% Scheduled Castes (SC) population

• Primarily, through convergent implementation of all relevant central and state schemes in them
• By meeting needs which cannot be met through above, through provision of ‘gap – filling’ funds for which central assistance will be provided at Rs 10 lakh per village revised to Rs 20 lakh per village at an average w.e.f. September 2011, with State Government also expected to make a suitable preferably matching, contribution

Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers

Government of India introduced a ‘Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of manual Scavengers’ (SRMS) from January 2007. with the objective to rehabilitate remaining Manual Scavengers and their dependents in a time – bound manner. The Scheme has been revised w.e.f. November, 2013. As per the revised scheme, identified manual scavengers, one from each family are provided one – time cash assistance.

Tribal Sub – Plan (TSP)

The Fifth Five Year Plan marked a shift in the approach, when the Tribal Sub – Plan (TSP) for direct benefit of the STs was launched. The Tribal Sub – Plan for the Scheduled Tribes was designed to channelise the flow of outlays and benefits from the general sectors in the plans of the States and Union Territories (Uts) and Central Ministries in proportion to their population both in physical and financial terms
It is an umbrella under which all schemes implemented by the States and Central Governments are dovetiled for addressing different needs of the Scheduled namely flow from Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Special Central Assistance, State Plan and Institutional Finance

Programme for Development of Forest Village

After the enactment of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, State Governments faced problems in taking up non – forestry development activities relating to infrastructure for improving socio – economic Conditions of people living in the villages located in the forest areas. Consequent to the intervention of the government, steps like stopping of illegal eviction of genuine tribal people living in the forests, allowing diversion of forest lands for providing the basic and essential developmental facilities to the tribal/forest villages etc have been achieved. This programme was launched during the 10th Plan as a one time measure with for integrated development of 2690 forest villages originally identified with about 2.5 lakh tribal families with a view to:

• Raise the human development index (HDI) of the inhabitant of the forest villages.
• Provide basic facilities and services like food, safe drinking water, health care, primary education, all weather road, other infrastructural facilities etc.

Scheme of Development of Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs)

There are certain tribal communities who are having low level of literacy, declining or stagnant population and pre – agricultural level of technology and economically backward. 75such groups in 15 States/Union Territory have been identified and have been categorised as Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs). Each of these groups is small in number, differentially developed with respect to one another of remote habitat with poor administrative and infrastructure back up. Their problems and needs are quite different from other Schedule Tribes, Since , Primitive Tribal Groups constitute the most vulnerable among tribal groups, States/UTs have been requested to allocate requested fund from Central Sector/Centrally Sponsored and State Plan Scheme for their socio – economic development.
There are items/activities, which though very crucial for the survival, protection and development of PTGs, are not specifically catered to by any existing scheme, the funds under this scheme would be used for these activities

Vocational Training in Tribal Areas

Under the scheme of vocational training, grants will be available for organising vocational training in recognised institutions or in Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) subject to terms and conditions revised from time to time of the scheme.
The agencies eligible for such grants are :

• State Government and Union Territory Administrations
• Institutions or organizations set – up by government as autonomous bodies, either under a status or as a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860
• Education and other institutions of the likes of local bodies and cooperative bodies
• A public trust registered under any law for the time being in force.  The trust must have been registered for atleast 3 years
• Any Private Recognised Institution, registered and conducting such vocational courses for atleast 3 years
• Any industry or an association of industries like ASSOCHAM CII, FICCI etc. who are willing to run such skill upgradation training centres as per the financial norms of the scheme with a proper plan for placements.
• Voluntary Organization (VO)/Non – Government Organizations (NGOs) under some specific conditions

Forests Right Act, 2006

The Act seeks to recognise and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers, who have been residing in such forests for generations but whose rights could not be recorded.
The act recognises three types of rights

Land Rights

• Those who are cultivating land but don’t have document can claim upto 4 hectare, as long as they are cultivating the land themselves for a livelihood
• The land cannot be sold or transferred to anyone except inheritage

Use Rights

The law secondly provides for rights to use and/or collect the following :

1. Minor forest produce things like tendu patta, herbs, medicinal plants etc “that have been traditionally collected. This those not include timber
2. Grazing grounds water bodies
3. Traditional areas of use by nomadic or pastoralist communities i.e. communities that move with their herds. As opposed to practicing settled agriculture

Right to Protect and Conserve

For the first time, this law also gives the community the right to protect and manage the forest. It provides a right and power to conserve community forest resources, while gives the community a general power to protect wildlife, forests, etc.

Establishment of Ashram School in Tribal Sub – Plan Areas

this is a centrally sponsored scheme and is operational in the tribal sub – plan Status/ UTs administrations. The scheme covers primary, middle, secondary and senior secondary level of education the objective of the scheme is to provide residential schools for Scheduled Tribes, including PTGs, in an environment conductive to learning, to increase the literacy rate among the tribal students and to bring them at par with other population of the country. The scheme is in operation since 1990 – 91 and has been revised w.e.f. the financial year 2008 – 09

Pre – Matric Scholarship for ST Student

• To support parents of ST children for education of their children studying in classes IX and X so that the incidence of drop – out, especially in the transition from the elementary to the secondary state is minimised
• To improve participation of ST students in Class IX and X of pre – matric stage, so that they perform better and have a better chance of progressing to the post – matric stage of education

Scholarship under the Scheme will be available for studies in India only and will be awarded by the Government of the State / Union Territory to which the applicant belong i.e where she/he is domiciled. Under the eligibility conditions Parents/Guardian income should not exceed Rs 2 lakh per annum

Post – Matric Scholarship (PMS) for ST Students

the scheme covers professional, technical as well as non – professional and non – technical course at various levels including correspondence courses covering distance and continuing education. The scheme was introduced during the year 1944 – 45 and has since been revised from time to time. The last revision of the scheme has been made w.e.f. 1st April, 2013. Scholarships are paid to student whose parents/ Guardians income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh per annum

WELFARE SCHEMES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE

The elderly popoulation of the country represents an important part of the population. Given their valuable contribution to the nation, it is important that they are given due respect and entitlements over the years, the government has launched various schemes and policies are meant to promote the health, well – being and independence of senior citizens around the country

Rights of older Persons

The mandate of the Constitution is to ensure equality, freedom, justice and dignity of all individuals including older persons ( or senior citizens)
Article 41 of Part IV (Directive Principle of State Policy) is particularly relevant with regard to older persons. It states that the state shall, within the limits of its      economic capacity and development make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age sickness and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want

Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)

IGNOAPS was launched by Ministry of Rural Development in,2007. All persons of 60 years and above and belonging to below the poverty line category according to the criteria prescribed by the Government of India time to time, are eligible to be a beneficiary of the scheme. It is a part of National social Assistance programme (NSAP)
The pension amount, as of Union Budget 2012 – 13 is INR 200 per month per person from 60 – 79 years and INR 500 per month per person for those 80 years and above and states are supposed to contribute an equal amount vis – a – vis the scheme

Jan Suraksha Schemes

The Central Government in 2015 announced 3 new social security schemes under “Jan Suraksha” . The schemes of Jan Suraksha are : Pradhan  Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 is a legislation enacted in 2007, initiated by Ministry of social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, to provide more effective provision for maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens. This Act make it a legal obligation for children and heirs to provide maintenance to senior citizens and parents by monthly allowance. This Act also provides simple, speedy and inexpensive mechanism for the protection of life and property of the older persons
Some of the important provisions of the Act are discussed herein.

• A childless senior citizen can claim maintenance from any relative who possess his property or who would inherit it.
• The state government is directed to constitute a tribunal which would hear the cases regarding maintenance
• The maximum maintenance allowance is to be specified by the state government which should not exceed 10,000 per months
• There is the provision of imprisonment if a person defaults in the payment of maintenance as per the order of the tribunal
• The appeal against the order of the tribunal can be made to the appellate tribunal within a period of 60 days 
• The tribunal may conduct a summary
• The parties cannot engage a legal practitioner for the proceeding
• The Act provides for establishment of at least one old age home in each district with a capacity to shelter 150 senior citizens
• A senior citizen can also cancel the transfer of his property by will or gift applying to the tribunal
• The Act prescribes punishment for the abondonment of parents or senior citizens by a person who is liable to take care of them 
• Other benefits enjoyed by senior citizens are :
• The income tax slabs are different for senior citizens and super senior citizens. Income up to 3 lakhs for senior citizens and 5 lakhs for super senior citizens is tax free while 10% of income tax is levied on the income of 3 – 5 lakhs in case of senior citizens. (senior citizens : above 60 years of age, super senior citizens : above 80 year of age)
• The railway ministry provides a concession of 30% and 50% in railway fare to male and female senior citizen respectively above the age of 60 years
• The Civil aviation Ministry provides concession up to 50% for male senior citizens above 65 years of age and female senior citizen above 63 years of age through the National Carrier and Air India.

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana

The scheme provides accidental insurance of Rs 2 lakhs at just Rs 1 per month (Rs 12 per annum ) for the people in the age group of 18 – 70 years
The premium will be directly auto – debited by the bank from the subscriber’s account. It is the only mode of paying the premium and thus creates a linkage between the beneficiary and the bank. People between the age of 18 and 70 years, having and Aadhar linked bank account, are eligible for the scheme
There are two types of insurance covers in this scheme including “For accidental death or full disability” and “For partial disability” in case of accidental death or full disability the insurance cover is of 2 lakh and 1 lakh for partial disability

Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana

This scheme aims to provide facility of life insurance especially to poor people of India. It provides for life insurance in event of death due to any reason.
The premium amounts to Rs 330 per annum for the people in the age group of 18 – 50 years. The premium will be directly auto – debited by the bank from the subscriber’s account
The risk coverage of this scheme is Rs . 2 lakh. One can get this scheme in all public sector insurance companies

Atal Pension Yojana

Under the scheme, a pension of Rs. 1000 Rs5,000 will be provided to people over 60 years of age. The focus is on all those not covered under any other social security program
The scheme meant to persuade workers in unorganized sector, who from 88% of total workforce to save voluntarily for the retirement. It is the improved version of Swavalamban scheme, launched in 2010 – 11, which has been found lacking in clarity with regard to pension benefits at the age after 60.
Only the person in the age group between 18 to 40 years are eligible for the scheme. The premium will be auto – debited from customer’s bank account monthly

Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana

The cabinet approved the Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana and the scheme will be launched by the life Insurance Corporation of India from 1 April, 2017
The scheme has been announced with a guaranteed interest rate of 8 percent for 10 years. The difference between the return generated by LIC and the guaranteed 8 percent interest would be compensated through the subsidy given to LIC. The scheme will be open for subscription for one year from the date of launch. The subscriber can opt for pension on a monthly, quarterly half yearly and annual basis Senior citizen can invest up to 7.5 lakhs

National Policy on Senior Citizen 2011

The salient features of the policy are :

• Mainstreaming senior citizens, especially older women and bring their concerns into the national development debate with priority to implement mechanisms already set by governments and supported by civil society and senior citizens associations
• Promote the concept of ‘Ageing in Place’ or ageing in own home, housing, income security and homecare services, old age pension and access to healthcare insurance schemes and other programmes and services to facilitate and sustain dignity in old age. The thrust of the policy would be preventive rather than cure
• The policy will consider institutional care as the last resort. It recognises that care of senior citizens has to remain vested in the family which would partner the community, government and the private sector
• Being a signatory to the madrid plan of action and barrier free framework it will work towards an inclusive, barrier – free and age – friendly society
• Recognise that senior citizens are a valuable resource for the country and create an environment that provides them with equal opportunities, protects their rights and enables their full participation in society, the policy visualises that the states will extend their support for senior citizens living below the poverty line in urban and rural, areas and ensure their social security, healthcare, shelter and welfare. It will protect them from abuse and exploitation so that the quality of their lives improves
• Long – term savings instruments and credit activities will be promoted to reach both rural and urban areas.
• Support and assist organizations that provide counselling, career guidance and training services
• States will set – up homes with assisted living facilities for abandoned senior citizens in every district of the country and there will be adequate budgetary support

census 2001 has revealed that over 21 million people in India are suffering from one or the other kind of disability. Which is equivalent to 2.1% of the population. This huge populations mainly because of their inability to access basic service like health and education
A number of schemes have been initiated to support and promote the interest of the physically challenged community. These are:

• Scheme for Stipends to Physically Handicapped Student Under this scheme monetary and other assistance is provided to disabled students from class 1 to Post Graduate Level. Disability according to the persons with disabilities (equal opportunities), Protection of Rights and Full Participation Act, 1995 is defined as blindness, low – vision, leprosy – cured, hearing impairment, locomotor disability, mental retardation and mental illness which has to be certified by competent medical authority of the State Government.
• Samarthya Scheme The scheme aims at physical, social, economic and psychological rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. The State Government under the scheme proposes to provides aids and appliances such as tricycles, hearing aid, callipers etc.
• Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme This scheme was introduced in Bihar during the year 2009- 10 as a part of National Social Assistance Programme. The scheme is being implemented through the funds received from Government of India. Under this Scheme pension is provided to the persons with disabilities ( Severe or multiple disabilities ) of 18 – 79 years belonging to the below poverty line (BPL) families. Pension is paid through post office savings account 
• Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP Scheme) The scheme is implemented to assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard, aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation, by reducing the effects of disabilities and enhance their economic potential. The aids and appliances supplied under the scheme must have ISI certification
• Scholarship for Disabled Students The scheme for scholarships for disabled students aims to offer financial support in the form of scholarships and grants to students with disabilities for pursuing their education. The scholarships are available for studying at any level from class I to post – graduate studies, general as well as vocational and technical courses
• Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) Under the scheme, funds for the welfare of persons with disabilities are provided to the non – governmental organizations for projects like special schools for disabled, vocational Training Centres, Half Way Homes, Community Based Rehabilitation Centres, Early intervention Centres for Disabled and Rehabilitation of Leprosy Cured Persons etc.
• Government of India has introduced several other scheme to promote physically challenged people. These are :
• Employment/Self – Employment Among Disabled Population Government provides assistance to voluntary organisation for training and sheltered workshops. Banks provide loans at low interest rates to promote self – employment. Certain categories of handicapped are allotted public telephone booths and other types of shops such as tea stalls. 
• National Institutions The ministry supports seven autonomous national institutes which provide rehabilitation services and undertake manpower development with the overall objective of providing rehabilitation services for different types of disabilities

Rights of Disabled Persons

The mandate of the Constitution is to ensure equality, freedom justice and dignity of all especially the disadvantaged Article 41 is particularly relevant with regard to disabled persons. It states that the state shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement.
The subject of “relief of the disabled and unemployable” is specified in List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
In pursuance of the above provisions of the Constitution, several legislations have been enacted by the Government. These legislations are specifically directed towards the protection, welfare, rehabilitation, empowerment and development of disabled persons

Mental Health Bill, 2016

The Parliament has passed the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016 that decriminalises suicide attempt by mentally ill people and guarantees the right to better healthcare for people with mental illness.

Key Features of the Bill

Rights of persons with mental illness : It give every person right to access mental healthcare from services operated or funded by the government. It also included good quality, easy and affordable access to services. It also provides right to equality of treatment protect such persons from inhuman treatment, access to free legal services, medical records and right to complain in case of deficiencies in provisions
Advance Directive : It empowers a mentally – ill person to have the right to make an advance directive that explains how they want to be treated for the requisite illness and nominate their representative
Procedure and process : It also outlines the procedure and process for admission, treatment and subsequent discharge of mentally ill persons. Community based treatment : It focuses on community based treatment and special provisions for women and health
Mental Health Review Commission and Board : It will be quasi – judicial body responsible for reviewing procedure for making advance directives. It will advise the government on the protection of rights of mentally ill persons’. It will constitute Mental Health Review Boards in states’ districts with help of state government.
Decriminalising suicide : It effectively decriminalises suicide attempt under the section 309 (attempt to commit suicide of Indian Penal Code (IPC) by mentally ill persons by making it non – punishable prohibits electro – convulsive therapy : it will be not used for minors. It will be allowed only with the use of anaesthesia 

Rights of Persons with Disability Bill, 2016

The Bill will replace the existing PWD Act, 1995 which was enacted in 1995. salient features of the bill are :

• Disability has been defined based on evolving and dynamic concept
• The type of disability have been increased from existing 7 to 21 and the Central Government will have the power to add more types of disabilities. The 21 disability are : Blindness, low vision, leprosy cured persons hearing impairment, locomotor disability dwarfism intellectual disability, mental illness, autism spectrum disorder etc.
• Responsibility has been cast upon the appropriate governments to take effective measures to ensure that the persons with disabilities enjoy their rights equally with others
• Government funded educational institutions as well as the government recognized institutions will have to provide inclusive education to the children with disabilities
• For strengthening the Prime Minister accessible India campaign, stress has been given to ensure accessibility in public buildings in a prescribed time frame
• Reservation in vaccancies in government establishment has been increased from 3% to 4% for certain persons or class of persons with bench mark disability
• The bill provides for grant of guardianship by district court under which there will be joint decision – making between the guardian and person with disabilities
• The bill provides for penalties for offences committed against persons with disabilities and also violation of the provision of the new law.