NPRD Statement on Union Budget 2025-26
National Platform For The Rights of the Disabled
February 1, 2025
Press Statement
The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) records its strong protest over the continued disdain shown towards India’s disabled population by the Modi government.
Though a 4 per cent increase is seen in the total allocation made to the nodal department, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, it falls far short of what disability rights organisations and activists have been demanding for long. The total allocated to the DEPwD as percentage of overall budget is a mere 0.025 per cent.
The Scheme for the Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA), which has a very important role to play not only for support to the flagship programmes like the Accessible India Campaign but also for the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, has seen a further reduction in allocation this year. From the Rs. 240.39 allocated in 2022-23 it was reduced to Rs. 135.33 last year, which has been cut further to Rs. 115.10 this year. The total allocations for various Central Sector Schemes/Projects have also been reduced from 758.01 budgeted last year to Rs. 741.80 in the current year.
Further, exposing the government’s total disregard, notwithstanding its lofty claims, is the fact that even from these meager allocations, there has been a consistent underutilization of funds over the years – 64 per cent in 2020-21, 86 per cent in 2021-22, 79 per cent in 2022-23 and 93 per cent in 2023-24.
The warning sounded by the Economic Survey, for the second consecutive year in a row around mental health issues, unfortunately, has been totally disregarded. Except for a slight increase in allocations to a few institutes, the government seems oblivious of the huge crisis that is looming. Given these circumstances, it is alarming to note that the allocations for the telemental health programme has been cut from Rs. 90 crore allotted last year to Rs. 79.60 crore this year.
That the poor and the marginalised do not figure in its priorities has been more than underlined by its refusal to increase allocations for the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS). Ignoring the recommendations made by the Department Related Standing Committee for a substantial increase in disability pensions, the allocation to the IGNDPS continue to remain the same as last year at Rs. 290 crore, notwithstanding the increase in the allocations made to the Ministry of Rural Development. The refusal to enhance allocations for MNREGA will also adversely impact disabled people who seek work under the scheme.
Lack of employment opportunities compels a sizeable section of the disabled population to be dependent solely on pensions. However, the central share has been static at Rs 300/- since 2012 exposing the total apathy with the government treats the marginalised. The central government has also refused to revisit the exclusionary nature of the scheme which caters to a mere 3.8 per cent of the disabled population identified by the 2011 census.
Demanding the enactment of a Right to Pension Act, increasing the pension from Rs. 300 to Rs. 5000/- and widening its coverage to include all disabled persons recognised by the RPD Act, the NPRD will hold an assembly of disabled persons in Delhi on February 10, 2025.
(Muralidharan)
General Secreatry