Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Awareness programme on disability

By Correspondent

TEZPUR, Nov 13 - A zonal-level awareness programme for North Assam Zone consists of Udalguri, Darrang, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts on disability and the rights of persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 was organized by the Social Welfare Department, Government of Assam, in collaboration with the District Administration, Sonitpur and Shishu Sarothi, NGO in Tezpur.

Deputy Commissioner, Manvendra Pratap Singh, formally inaugurated the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp and delivered the inaugural speech.

In his speech, the Deputy Commissioner said the society as a whole needs to be aware, avoid discriminatory behaviour and give importance to the issue of rights of a person with disabilities so that they can lead a life of dignity.

The Deputy Commissioner also urged all Government department officials and stakeholders to keep in mind the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in their everyday life and work towards inclusivity by creating a barrier-free environment so that they can live independently.

The programme was conducted by Samsera Hazarika, Divisional Programme Officer, ICDS Cell, Tezpur. Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kulen Sarmah delivered the welcome address and explained the objectives of the awareness programme. Additional SP, Numal Mahato, Member Secretary of District Legal Services Authority, Asma Begum also spoke on the occasion.

The awareness session was conducted by Deputy Director, Advocacy, Shishu Sarothi, Amvalika Senapati who said the new Act has been enacted from a human rights perspective after the Government of India ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007. She informed that Assam is one of the first states to take up the initiative to hold state-wide awareness programmes on the rights of persons with disabilities and informed that more such awareness programmes will be conducted at the zonal and district-- level in the days to come.

She spoke in details about the various provisions under the RPwD Act 2016 and the roles and responsibilities of each Government department and informed that the new Act provides for inclusion of the private sector within its regulatory framework as well. The Deputy Director appealed to all to be aware of their roles and responsibilities in order to ensure effective implementation of the RPwD Act 2016.

Next Story