"Government has approved in principle, the proposal for creation of a separate Department of Disability Affairs, within the Social Justice & Empowerment Ministry", Union Minister Mukul Wasnik told the House in written reply to a question.
Informing the House on its progress so far, he said "the proposal to amend the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, with a view to notify the creation of the said department and to define its business is under consideration."
The proposal to create a separate department for disability affairs was moved by the Ministry sometime back after a need was felt to create a separate department under a Secretary-rank officer to address the issues of people with disability.
Presently, the issues related to empowerment of disabled people in the country are looked after by a division in the Social Justice Ministry.
The formation of a separate department will ensure better implementation of government schemes and proposals for betterment of disabled people, the Ministry officials said.
As per the 2001 Census, there are 2.19 crore disabled people in the country which is around 2.13 per cent of the total population.
According to the NSSO Survey of 2002, 75 per cent of persons with disabilities live in rural areas. While 49 per cent of disabled population is literate, only 34 per cent are employed. PTI AD
