Statement by India at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group 41^st Session (7-18 November 2022) on the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities: 4^th UPR of India.

[Geneva, 10^th November 2022]

Mr. President,

I am Rajesh Yadav and I represent the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

2. The issues concerning with empowerment of Persons with Disabilities are on the centre stage of the National Developmental Agenda of our Government and we are working for the welfare of 26.8 million persons with disabilities in India.

3. India was amongst the first few countries to ratify the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016 provides for community life, non-discrimination, access to justice and protection from abuse, violence and exploitation. It also provides reservation in Government jobs and seats in Government and Government aided higher educational institutions.

4. The Rehabilitation Council of India Act of 1992 provides framework for rehabilitation courses and professionals. The National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act of 1999 provides special care initiatives.

5. There are nine National Institutes to take care of specific needs of persons with locomotor, visual, speech and hearing, intellectual, psycho-social and multiple disabilities. These institutes provide rehabilitative services to about 2.5 million Persons with Disabilities annually.

6. The Government implements various schemes and programmes for empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. During the last eight years, aids and appliances worth about 180 million USD have been distributed to 2.3 million Persons with Disabilities.1.42 million students with disabilities have been benefitted under scholarship scheme.

7. The Government also supports the Non-Government Organisations for undertaking various projects such as schools for different categories of Persons with Disabilities. During the last eight years, 3 thousand 9 hundred and 54 projects run by various Non-Governmental Organisations have been supported benefitting about 300,000 Persons with Disabilities.

8. The Government is implementing Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Project to create a national database for Persons with Disabilities. So far more than 8.3 million UDID cards have been generated.

9. Independent Chief Commissioner and State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities have been appointed to monitor implementation of the Act and look into the grievance regarding deprivation of rights of Persons with Disabilities.

10. The Government remains committed to the empowerment and inclusive growth of Persons with Disabilities, through proactive policies that are invariably framed in consultation with stakeholders.

I thank you.