The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014, stipulating up to two-year jail term and a maximum fine of `5 lakh for discriminating against differently-abled persons.  The Bill was passed unanimously despite the ongoing Winter Session witnessing uproar and repeated adjournments over demonetisation issue.  The Lok Sabha is expected to pass it before the session ends on Friday.

The Bill, which aims at securing and enhancing the rights and entitlements of disabled persons, was passed by a voice vote.  It was moved earlier this month by Minister for Social Justice Thaawar Chand Gehlot and it also gives effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities and related matters.

Replying to some queries by the Elders, Gehlot said the amendments (120 in all) in the Bill were carried out after recommendations by a group of ministers studied the proposed legislative measure.  He also said medical boards will decide and define illnesses related to various disabilities after some Elders including Sitaram Yechury(CPM) and Satish Mishra(BSP) sought to know who will define the disabilities.

Viplove Thakur (Congress) raised the issue of disability pension not being provided to persons below 18 years of age, to which the Minister said this was not provided in the laws.  Thakur’s party colleague

Madhusudan Mistry enquired whether the definition of ‘Mental Illness’ is same in the Disabilities Bill as in the Mental Health Bill, which was passed recently.  Gehlot said the definition is based on the United Nations Convention.

This Bill was passed after the Opposition, which has not allowed the House to function last so many days, led by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, BSP chief Mayawati, Yechury and SP leader Naresh Agarwal, favoured 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.

With rare unanimity on display, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien agreed to take up a short debate on the legislation before its passage, though he first said the matter was listed in the agenda in the afternoon and could be taken up then.  

The Union Cabinet had earlier approved the amendments to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Bill, 2014, that had replaced the 1995 Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act. 
Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/rs-passes-disabilities-bill-discrimination-to-earn-2-yr-jail.html