By IANS
New Delhi : The government is planning to simplify the issuance of disability certificates to the needy in the country..
“There is a scope for simplifying the procedure to issue the disability certificate, and the government is working in that direction,” Sundeep Khanna, additional secretary, ministry of social justice and empowerment, said Friday.
Khanna, speaking at the inauguration of 7th national meeting of commissioners for persons with disabilities here, said that the certificate for visible disabilities such as amputations, paralysis of limbs and blindness should be given at the primary health centre level.
Khanna said: “Getting disability certificate is a problem. Not only in the rural areas, even in cities like Hyderabad and Bangalore people face difficulty in getting certificates. In order to reduce the hardships faced by persons with disabilities, the government is in the process of simplifying the process.”
The commissioners from different states Friday began two-day long deliberations to review the status of the implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation Act, 1995.
Veena Chhotray, secretary, ministry of social justice and empowerment, said that the amendment of the act was in the final stage and sought suggestions for incorporation. She said the amendments would make the Act more effective in helping out the needy.
At present, a board comprising a civil surgeon and an expert on disability, issues the disability certificates.
“Such a board is required only for the cases where disability is not clear. The case of a person with an amputated leg does not need to be referred to such a board,” Manoj Kumar, commissioner for the Persons with Disabilities, said.