INDIA'S EFFORTS AT REHABILITATION AND RELIEF
FOR ITS DISABLED PERSONS HIGHLIGHTED
Shri C. Gopal Reddy, Secretary, Union Ministry
of Social Justice and Empowerment, is leading an eight-member
Indian delegation to the high level Inter-Governmental Meet to
mark the conclusion of Asia and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons,
1993-2002. The Indian delegation also includes India's Chief Commissioner
for Disabilities, Chairman, National Trust for Welfare of Persons
with Disabilities and Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia, Chairman, Indian
Spinal Injury Centre. The 4-day meeting in Otsu, Shiga, Japan
will be held from October 25-28, 2002 under UN-ESCAP auspices.
Presenting India's Country Statement at the Meet today, Shri Reddy
highlighted the Indian Government's emphasis on prevention as
well as early detection and treatment of cases leading to disabilities.
He stated that 50% of disability is preventable and the costs
of prevention are far lower than those of rehabilitation. He also
referred to the extensive polio pulse campaign for immunisation,
polio-myelatis, leprosy eradication programme and other programmes
undertaken by India for improving the human resource level of
disabled persons in order to provide them training, education,
economic security and employment.
Referring to the enactment and implementation
of Rehabilitation Council of India Act 1992, the Persons with
Disability Act of 1995 and National Trust for the Welfare of Persons
with Autism Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities
ACT 1999, Shri Reddy highlighted them as high thrust priorities
of Indian Government and its efforts to rehabilitate its disabled
persons. The final report will be adopted on October 28, 2002.
India's successful drive in this field has been recognised internationally.
