[New Delhi]Seniors Passes a Bill On Rights of Differently-Abled: Rajya Sabha
A bill for discriminating against differently-abled persons was passed by the Rajya Sabha today.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014, which aims at securing and enhancing the rights and entitlements of disabled persons, was passed by a voice vote after rare unanimity was witnessed among the Opposition and Treasury benches in the House, which has seen acrimony and disruptions since the Winter Session began on November 16.
The bill, which was moved in Upper House earlier this month by Social Justice Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot, also gives effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and related matters.
It provides for imprisonment of at least six months up to two years, along with a fine ranging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 5 lakh for discriminating against differently-abled persons.
When the House met in the morning and took up the Zero Hour, members from the Opposition benches including Leader of Opposition
Ghulam Nabi Azad, BSP chief
Mayawati, CPI(M) leader
Sitaram Yechury and SP leader
Naresh Agarwal, pitching for immediate passage of the “crucial” legislation.
Responding to them, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the measure could be taken up immediately.