DHARWAD: The state commissioner for implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities(RPWD) Act, 2016 V S Basavaraj said the law is not being implemented to the expected level despite since efforts by the officialsconcerned.

He attributed it to lack of guidance to the officials about the provisions of the Act. Speaking to reporters after holding a grievance redressal meeting of physically disabled people at zilla panchayat here on Wednesday, he said the Act is aimed at ensuring equal opportunities and rights to physically disabled people. It is the responsibility of government departments to take effective measures to ensure that disabled people enjoy their rights, he said.

Basavaraj informed that under the RPWD Act, disability has been defined based on an evolving and dynamic concept and the types of disabilities have been increased from existing 7 to 21. Additional benefits such as reservation in higher education (not less than 5%), government jobs (not less than 4%), reservation in the allocation of land, poverty alleviation schemes (5% allotment), have been provided for people with benchmark disabilities and those with high support needs. Every child with benchmark disability between the age group of 6 and 18 years shall have the right to free education, he said.
“Government-funded educational institutions as well as the government-recognised institutions will have to provide inclusive education to children with disabilities,” he said.