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Legal benefits for persons with disabilities — UPSC Prelims PYQ 2011

India is home to lakhs of persons with disabilities. What are the benefits available to them under the law?

  1. Free schooling till the age of 18 years in government-run schools.
  2. Preferential allotment of land for getting up business.
  3. Ramps in public buildings.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are correct
  • India provides a range of legal protections and welfare benefits for persons with disabilities (PwDs) through various laws and policy measures. A major framework in this regard is the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, along with several government welfare schemes that aim to promote equality, accessibility, and social inclusion.
  • Reservation – Higher education (not less than 5%), government jobs (not less than 4 %), reservation in allocation of land, poverty alleviation schemes (5% allotment), etc. have been provided.
  • This is in addition to the existing reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It reserves specific seats in the local government bodies (Panchayats and Municipalities) for persons with disabilities.
  • Ex. – Chhattisgarh made the presence of PwDs mandatory in all panchayats across the state by amending the State Panchayati Raj Act, 1993.
  • Inclusive Education: Government-funded/recognised educational institutions must provide inclusive education to children with disabilities.
  • Free education: Every child with a benchmark disability between the ages of 6 and 18 has the right to free education.
Statement 3 is correct
  • The RPwD Act, 2016 mandates that public buildings, including government offices, hospitals, and educational institutions, be made accessible by providing ramps, lifts, and other necessary modifications.

Accessible India Campaign (AIC)

  • Accessible India Campaign (AIC) is the nationwide flagship campaign of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
  • The Campaign aims to create a barrier-free and conducive environment for Divyangjans all over the country.
  • It was launched on International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December 2015.
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3 | Difficulty Level: Easy
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