Shillong May 3: Meghalaya Social Welfare Minister, Kyrmen Shylla on Thursday said that it is the duty of the State to ensure that various provisions of the Act related to rights of persons with disabilities is implemented in letter and spirit.

Shylla said this at the inaugural session of a State Level Sensitization

​​Workshop on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 held at Yojana Bhawan Auditorium, Main Secretariat, here on Thursday.
Additional Chief Secretary, Social Welfare, H. Marwein, graced the occasion as the guest of honour.

Shylla said that the new legislation has provisions which are more elaborate for the protection of rights of persons with disabilities.

The Minister also said that with the enforcement of the Act in April, 2017, it is the duty of the State to ensure that the various provisions of the Act are implemented in letter and spirit.

The Minister said that in Meghalaya, several schemes are being implemented for persons with disabilities through the Social Welfare and other allied departments.

He also informed that the District Session Court has been notified to be a special court in every district for trial of offences Under Section 84 so that the aggrieved persons with disabilities can find redressal closer to their doorstep.

He hoped that after the workshop all stakeholders, government officials and NGOs will have a clear understanding of their duties and responsibilities as per the new legislation.

He added that all must strive towards an inclusive society which gives equal opportunity to all and persons with disabilities can utilize the facilities available in the community and live a life of dignity.

Earlier, Prasanna Kumar Pincha, Special Rapporteur, Disabilities, National Human Rights Commission and former Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, said that the RPwD 2016 is a path breaking piece of legislation that seeks to recognize PWDs as valuable human resource.

Stating that the new legislation emphasizes civil and political rights of PWDs, he sought the cooperation of civil societies and different departments of the State for the successful implementation of the Act.

“Persons with disabilities are inherently capable of living a life of honour and dignity contributing to the growth of the society,” he stressed.

It may be mentioned that Mr Pincha was born blind but in spite of his disability, he has held several constitutional positions in the State and Central government and continues to champion the cause.

A technical session was also held on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act with reference to implementation by the State government and implementation of UDID Project.