CM asked to implement new Disability Act in letter

Dimapur, May 4 (EMN): With the passing of a new disability act - Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 (RPWD Act 2016), which came into force on April 19, 2017, chief minister was asked to implement the Act in letter and spirit in order ‘to end the discrimination and complete exclusion faced by the people living with disabilities in Nagaland. It may be mentioned here that the new Disability Bill was passed in the Parliament on December 16, 2016, replacing the existing Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995. The RPWD Act 2016 is a much more robust statute than the 1995 Act focusing to protect the rights of people with disabilities and provide punishment for their violation. In a representation to the State chief minister Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, Diethono Nakhro, disability rights activist and executive director of Connect Ability Network – Nagaland and member of National Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, expressed confidence that he will personally not permit the failure of the past to be repeated again but ensure the full implementation of the newly enacted Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 in letter and spirit. She also urged to initiate change that will end the discrimination and complete exclusion faced by people living with disabilities in Nagaland As per Census 2011, there were 29,631 people with disabilities in Nagaland, 26% of whom were younger than 18 years. It may be pointed out that this is the one and only data on disability available in Nagaland. The Nagaland Economic Survey 2016-17 tabled in the recent State assembly session has quoted the same 2011 figure indicating that there has been no effort to collect data on disability in the State. She also urged the State government to immediately notify steps to identify and certify persons with identified disabilities and to constitute the State Advisory Board on Disability as per the rules contained in the Act http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/implementation-of-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-act-2016/