Budget Disregards Disabled Persons, Cut in Allocations Expose ‘Inclusive India’ Rhetoric: NPRD

New Delhi: The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) has criticised the Union Budget proposals by the Centre for its “disregard” for disabled persons, with meagre allocations across ministries.

In a press statement, NPRD pointed out that budgetary support to the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) was almost the same.

“Support to autonomous bodies, such as  National Institutes, the Rehabilitation Council of India as also the National Trust, “which play a very important role in providing rehabilitation as also education has also been reduced,” adding that several schemes run by the NT will be impacted.

Also, the reduction in scholarships for students with disabilities will force many to drop out, it added.

Read the full statement below:

Union Budget: Same Old Track

The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) records its strong protest over the continued disregard of the disabled, notwithstanding the “inclusive India”, “Amrit Kaal” rhetoric.

Given the misplaced priorities of the government, budgetary support to the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), remains almost the same. The disdain with which the department is treated is revealed by the fact that allocations as a proportion to the total budget is currently a mere 0.025 per cent, a far cry from the 5 per cent allocation across ministries that disability rights organisations and activists have been demanding.

It is this lack of adequate budgetary support that has led to the failure of flagship programmes like the Accessible India campaign meeting the set targets as also deadlines set by the RPD Act for accessibility. Allocation for the Scheme for the Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA) under which this campaign falls, has seen a decrease as compared to last year.

Support to autonomous bodies like the National Institutes, the Rehabilitation Council of India as also the National Trust which play a very important role in providing rehabilitation as also education has also been reduced. The several schemes run by the NT will be impacted. The reduction in scholarships for students with disabilities will force many to drop out.

That the poor and the marginalised do not figure in its priorities has been more than underlined by its refusal to increase allocations for the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS). Lack of employment opportunities compels a sizeable section of the disabled population to be dependent on pensions. However, the central share has been static at Rs 300/- since 2011. The central government has refused to revisit the exclusionary nature of the scheme which caters to a mere 3.8 per cent of the disabled population identified by the 2011 census. It remains adamant in not extending AAY cards to the disabled, despite court verdicts.

While the Economic Survey 2024 in a welcome departure had sought to draw attention to the increasing incidences of mental health issues, especially in the post-Covid scenario, this does not find reflection in the allocations made towards mental health.

It was telling that in the entire budget speech the Finance Minister not even once thought it prudent to refer to people with disabilities, one of the most marginalised of our society, thoroughly exposing the lackadaisical and contemptuous approach to disability issues. That the government is unwilling to spend on the disabled and other marginalized despite substantial increase in its revenue earnings points to its regressive nature.

The NPRD calls upon its affiliates in the states to hold protests against the misplaced priorities of the government whose policies condemn the disabled and weaker sections to the margins.

Muralidharan
General Secretary
National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled