Modi govt rolled out many schemes for Divyangs' welfare: Kishan Reddy

Hyderabad: Union Minister of Tourism and Culture G Kishan Reddy has said that the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched several initiatives for the welfare of Divyangjan to realise their potential.

Reddy recalled that the PM had launched "Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan"(SBA) on December 3, 2015, to observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Several reforms have been initiated to create equal opportunities for the differently-abled for the past several years.

He clarified that "Divyangjan" would be used instead of "disabled" to protect the dignity of differently-abled people. In 1995, only seven disabilities had a place in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act to protect their rights. However in 2016, a new law was made to provide a place for 21 disabilities. In these, people of the third gender, those afflicted with dwarfism, those with speech and language disabilities, specific learning disabilities and acid attack victims have been included for the first time. Besides this, language disabilities and specific learning disabilities were also included in the Act. A new dictionary has also been created for the disabled.