By IANS
New Delhi : Multi-purpose smart cards for disabled people in the country are set to become a reality, thanks to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The cards will contain all basic information about the holders and serve the purpose of an identity card too.
The NHRC officials Monday said that they were working out the details to get smart cards for the disabled, who according to the 2001 census constitute around 20 million of the country’s total population.
Speaking at the round table conference on the implementation of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Monday, Justice S. Rajendra Babu, chairperson of NHRC, underlined the need of a proactive role to help out the disabled.
“There should be separate resource allocation for the schemes meant for the disabled. The urban development and human resource development ministries should ensure barrier-free buildings and schools for them,” Babu said.
“NHRC favours zero tolerance in the case of implementing programmes and policies meant for the people with disabilities,” he added.
NHRC would entrust an independent agency to prepare the smart cards for the disabled.
“We will identify a single agency to prepare an all purpose smart card for the disabled people. The details are being worked out,” Aruna Sharma, joint secretary of NHRC, told.
“NHRC will also organise as many as five regional workshops to discuss issues concerning the disabled people and to create awareness among them about rights and privileges they enjoy,” she said.