Bhubaneswar: For proper implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the ORPWD Rules, 2018, the State Government has asked all Collectors to ensure functioning of the District Level Committee on Disability and compliance of the Act and rules.
Secretary of Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) R S Gopalan has written a letter to all Collectors in this regard on 3 January.
“It has come to the notice of the Department that the District Level Committees on Disability constituted under the provisions of Sections 23 and 24 of the ORPWD Rules, 2018, require immediate activation and compliance with prescribed norms,” Secretary SSEPD said.
He asked the Collectors to hold a meeting of all District Level Committees on Disability without delay, with necessary changes in the membership by including the current official members to ensure the effective implementation of provisions under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the ORPWD Rules, 2018.
Committees are directed to co-opt at least one representative from each of the 21 categories of persons with disabilities as defined under the Act, a step essential to ensure inclusive representation and address the needs of all categories, Shri Gopalan said.
Committees must convene regular meetings at least once every quarter. The Collectors may direct one of his senior officers to preside over the meeting, if necessary. The agenda must include monitoring the implementation of disability-related programs and addressing grievances of PwDs in the district, he further directed.
The District Level Committees have been asked to submit progress reports only online mode by the 10th day January, April, July and October.
The Secretary SSEPD,instructed the Collector to ensure that the District Level Committee on Disability functions effectively and in accordance with the stipulated guidelines.
“Non-compliance with the above directives will be viewed seriously. The SSEPD Department will conduct periodic reviews to assess the functioning of these committees,” he warned.