Govt constitutes advisory board for disability rights

Jammu: The government on Friday constituted the Jammu and Kashmir Advisory Board under the Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2016, to facilitate the continuous evolution of a comprehensive policy for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
As per order issued by the government, the board will be headed by advisor to Lieutenant Governor, in-charge of the Social Welfare Department and comprises of 17 members and convenor.
The order further revealed that the advisory board will be the UT level consultative and advisory body on disability matters and will facilitate the continuous evolution of a comprehensive policy for the empowerment of persons with disabilities and the full enjoyment of rights.
The board will also advise the Government on policies, programmes, legislation and projects with respect to disability.
Moreover, the board also mandated to develop a policy to address issues concerning persons with disabilities
“Review and coordinate the activities of all departments of the Government and other Governmental and non-Governmental Organizations in the Jammu and Kashmir which are dealing with matters relating to persons with disabilities. Take up the cause of persons with disabilities with the concerned authorities and the international organizations with a view to provide for schemes and projects for the persons with disabilities in the Governmental plans,” the board further mandated.
The board further asked to recommend steps to ensure accessibility, reasonable accommodation, non-discrimination for persons with disabilities, services and the built environment and their participation in social life on an equal basis with others;
“The board will also Monitor and evaluate the impact of laws, policies and programmes designed to achieve full participation of persons with disabilities and such other functions as may be assigned from time to time by the Government,” the order reads.
As per the order, the government will also nominate members from different filed. “The five member who are experts in the field of disability and rehabilitation to be nominated by the Social Welfare Department; five members to be nominated by the Government by rotation to represent the districts in such manner as may be prescribed by General Administration Department:
Provided that no nomination under this sub-clause shall be made except on the recommendation of the district administration concerned,’ the order reads.
“Ten persons as far as practicable, being persons with disabilities, to represent non-governmental organizations or associations which are concerned with disabilities to be nominated by Social Welfare Department,” the order reads. The order also reads that the three representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu/ Kashmir to be nominated by the Department of Industries and Commerce.
Meanwhile, the government also constituted expert committee under the Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016.
The committee comprises of 5 members headed by administrative secretary finance department mandated to identify posts in the establishments which can be held by respective category of persons with benchmark disabilities in respect of the vacancies reserved for the disabled by the Government.