Over 200 physically-challenged persons staged a demonstration in Pallavaram on Monday seeking the introduction of the Disability Rights Bill in the Parliament.
Members of Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (Taratdac) demanded the Disability Rights Bill, pending before the Central government from 2010, be passed immediately.
According to the protesters, an eight-member delegation of disabled groups had met Vice-President Hamid Ansari recently and sought his support for the Bill which was approved by the Union Cabinet on December 12.
“The drafting of the Bill began four years ago. There is an inordinate delay despite the fact the Bill spells out the rights of persons with disabilities,” said B. Radhakrishnan, State vice-president of Taratdac.
“We sought the support of the Vice-President and leaders of other political parties in ensuring this extremely important piece of legislation is taken up by the Centre for introduction and enactment,” he said. The changes envisaged to protect the rights of disabled persons should be included in the present version of the Bill before enactment in the Parliament, he said.
