IAS officer to monitor funds for welfare of disabled

Activists allege lack of political will in ensuring funds are used for the benefit of the physically challenged

Mumbai: The State government has put in a place a new monitoring mechanism to ensure local bodies set aside the mandatory 3% of their funds for persons with disabilities. The move comes after complaints that money meant for welfare of the physically challenged has been diverted for other purposes.

Senior government officers said the decision is in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2016, which mandates local bodies to earmark funds for schemes meant for them. Navnath Wath, Under Secretary, Urban Development Department, said, “Section 40 of the new Act mandates funds for schemes meant for the physically challenged in urban areas. It has come to our notice that this money is being used for other purposes by the corporations. The Chief Minister himself has taken note of this in a meeting in October, and issued guidelines for monitoring this money.”

Political will lacking

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill was passed by Parliament in 2016. The Lok Sabha subsequently passed The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill - 2016. The Bill replaced the existing PwD Act, 1995, enacted 21 years ago.

Disability rights activists pointed to the lack of political will in tackling the issue. The disability rights movement had been dealt a harsh hand with GST being levied on aids and appliances for people with disabilities. Kamayani Mahabal, a leading human rights lawyer, said, “What we need to know is where the money was spent. Or did it lapse? I also wonder if it was a diversion to stop disability activists from protesting against the GST issue. The GST levy has been a regressive step. It is in clear contradiction to the provisions envisaged under the newly enacted law, which provides for equal rights, opportunities and non-discrimination.”

Under guidelines issued by the State government, it is binding on municipalities to use funds for intended purposes. “This fund cannot lapse, which would mean it becomes mandatory to spend it in the given period for the given purpose,” a UDD officer said. The government has directed that an IAS officer be appointed to monitor the disability fund. “Every Municipal Commissioner must assess the availability of funds in the month leading up to the budget, and prepare a micro plan for the same,” the guidelines say.

Activists, though, decried the absence of proper representation in such monitoring mechanisms. “Will they ever constitute a monitoring committee that includes an NGO or an activist who is disabled, or working in the area of disability? Nothing should be decided about people with disabilities without their presence, participation and inclusion. But the government seems to know and understand disability issues without actually involving them,” Ms. Mahabal said.