Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • Key promises made under Accessible India Campaign find no reflection in interim Budget

Key promises made under Accessible India Campaign find no reflection in interim Budget

Get-hooked February 5, 2019
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

The interim Budget may have made the aam aadmi happy and even boosted the Narendra Modi government’s prospects ahead of the national election in a few months. However, what is undeniable is the deep sense of disappointment and anger felt by the disabled community.

Speaking to NewzHook, Dr Riitesh Sinha, an innovator with cerebral palsy based in Karnal, Haryana, said “There is no mention of the fulfillment of the commitment to provide accessible toilets in all the railway stations as in the previous Budget. The government should have given an enhancement in deductions under Section 80U as there is an increase in the limit of taxable amount. Again, there is no mention of Accessible India for physically disabled people”.

Missing from key announcements on infrastructure development, rural and urban development, skill development or employment is the aspect of inclusion.

In a statement, Equals Centre for Promotion of Social Justice (Equals CPSJ), a disabled peoples’ organization based in Chennai, says none the promises made under the three-year-action agenda of the NITI Aayog and the Accessible India Campaign find reflection.

There was no mention of any commitments apart from the PM’s Ayushman Bharat scheme, but that too had nothing to do with people with disabilities. It just says that if you are injured at work, you are entitled to some benefits but that has nothing to do with people with disabilities. There is no mention of inclusive growth or participation. Even commitments made as recently as 2018 have not been mentioned and the overall increment is limited. – Meenakshi Balasubramanian, Equals Centre for Promotion of Social Justice

Forgotten promises

Priorities set aside under the Accessible India Campaign (AIC) like strengthening accessibility, improving education and employment opportunities, centres for disability sports, etc are a blind spot as well.

“There was no roadmap about making India accessible, as per the RPWD Act 2016 by 2021”, says Pramod Sharma, a cerebral palsy patient. “Neither was the disability pension increased, nor any concession given on any aids and nor is there an increase in tax rebate of any kind”.

Detailed studies by the Equals CPSJ show that since 2014 -15, there are huge unspent balances from the Budget estimates proposed. The Centre’s contribution was just 16% in 2017-18 and there has been no move to supplement states based on their growth and development.

“Under the AIC so far funds have been released to retrofit only 56% of the total buildings for which access audit has been completed and reported and only 25% of the government websites selected are made accessible”, pointed out the Equals CPSJ in a press release.

Studies also shows that the allocation towards persons with disabilities by the Centre was at a constant of 0.03% to the overall disbursement from 2014 t0 2016, and follows a decreasing trend from 2017-18 at 0.02%.

Balasubramanian says this indicates how the disabled community has not been recognized as a political group. “Given the marginalization we are not considered in the intersectionality in any area be it caste or gender. Nowhere in this Budget, does that aspect of reaching out to the most marginalized find reflection”.

On paper the tax relief to people with disabilities and families is nearly equal to the allocation to the Department for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), but the as Equals CPSJ points out, there is a need to look at who this is benefitting when nearly 80% of families are surviving on less than Rs 150 a day, not and counting the cost of living with a disability.

Watch in Sign Language

0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Get-hooked,Headlines
    Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today
  • Technology
    Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Christine Ha has covered her eyes and the words how you see me are on the back of her hand

Get-hooked

Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day

Matthew Walzer is wearing a blue shirt

Get-hooked

Matthew Walzer’s letter continues to make an impact nearly 10 years later

Invite to the telecast & webstreaming of the 2021 CavinKare Ability Awards at 7pm today.

Get-hooked

Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today

Images of the 5 apps featured in article

Technology

Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

Film 'Making Sense' starring people with disabilities representing 5 senses to premiere at Boston SciFi

Coronavirus-news

New ‘Sesame Street’ video teaches kids with autism how to wear a mask

Get-hooked

Understanding Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Get-hooked

'We have only one life, so live it to the fullest' - My Take by Krishnakumar PS

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.