Northeast Desk, 23rd April: The Supreme Court, on Monday, voiced dissatisfaction over the sluggish progress in implementing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act, 2016, describing its current state as “dismal.” The court specifically criticized certain states for failing to formulate the necessary rules outlined in the Act.
Highlighting several issues, the court noted the absence of special courts for expeditious trials of cases involving persons with disabilities in Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal. Additionally, it pointed out the failure to appoint public prosecutors in courts in Chhattisgarh and Daman & Diu.
A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala heard a plea seeking the establishment of district-level committees to enforce the Act.
Despite the passage of time, the court observed that the implementation of the Act remains inadequate. Many states have yet to draft the required rules, and several have not appointed commissioners as mandated by the Act.
“We are of the view that the state of the implementation of the Act needs to be rectified promptly,” remarked the bench, scheduling the matter for further hearing in the second week of July.
Under the Act, states are authorized to formulate rules governing various aspects, including the establishment of a committee for disability research, composition of district-level committees, determination of salaries and allowances for the state commissioner, and allocation of funds for persons with disabilities.
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