Disabilities Bill tabled in Rajya Sabha

The government introduced in Rajya Sabha a Bill that increases reservation for disabled people in government offices and educational institutions to 5% from 3%. It also mandates local governments to provide appropriate incentives to employers in the private sector to ensure that at least 5% of their work force comprises people with disabilities. Of the additional quota 1% is for people with mental disabilities and people with multiple disabilities.

Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014, provides for the constitution of a National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and broadens the ambit of disability to 19 conditions from the existing seven.