On the occasion of 'International Day of Persons with Disabilities', various outfits today held protest here seeking "immediate" placing of 'Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill' for discussion before Parliament.
The Bill was introduced by Congress-led UPA Government and sent to Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's Parliamentary Standing Committee owing to certain concerns raised by several disability rights outfits.
The organisations representing persons with disabilities (PwDs) though complained there is "inordinate" delay in introducing the Bill for discussion, despite the committee already submitting its recommendations.
"The delay in introducing the amendments and placing them for discussion in Parliament after several months since the committee submitted its recommendations is inexplicable.
"We want immediate placing of the Bill for discussion," National Platform for Disabled, National Federation of Blind and National Association of Blind said in a joint statement.
CPI (M) politburo member Brinda Karat also joined the scores of protesters at Jantar Mantar expressing solidarity with them.
Meanwhile, 20 organisations representing PwDs submitted their five-point memorandum to Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot seeking immediate placing of the bill.
They demanded Gehlot to see the government introduces amendments to the Bill on the basis of recommendations of the Committee and suggestions given by various stakeholders and have a proper and extensive debate in the Parliament during the on-going winter session.
