Addressing non-compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

DoPT has issued an Office Memorandum from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) mandates that all Central Government Ministries/Departments comply with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. Specifically, it highlights the need for all establishments to implement an "Equal Opportunity Policy" and appoint a "Grievance Redressal Officer" to address complaints related to the Act. This directive stems from a grievance raised by a PwD activist regarding the non-implementation of these crucial provisions, emphasizing the government's commitment to upholding the rights and ensuring equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

No 36-01/2023-DD-II
Government of India
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)
5th Floor, B Wing, Pt. Deendayal Antyodaya Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road New Delhi- 110003

Date : 09.12.2024

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Grievance pertains to non implementation of the provisions of RPwD Act, 2016/guidelines of DoPT/order of CCPD by various Ministries/Departments of Central Government-reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to a grievance submitted by Shri P Mathew, a PwBD activist in Madhya Pradesh (enclosed) on the subject mentioned above raising the issue of alleged non-implementation of the provisions of RPwD Act, 2016/guidelines of DoPT/order of CCPD regarding ‘Equal Opportunity Policy’ and ‘Appointment of Grievance Redressal Officer by various Ministries/Departments of Central Government.

2. Relevant Sections of the RPwD Act, 2016 are reproduced as under:

• Section 21: Equal opportunity policy.—(1) Every establishment shall notify equal opportunity policy detailing measures proposed to be taken by it in pursuance of the provisions of this Chapter in the manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

(2) Every establishment shall register a copy of the said policy with the Chief Commissioner or the State Commissioner, as the case may be.

• Section 23: Appointment of Grievance Redressal Officer—(1) Every Government establishment shall appoint a Grievance Redressal Officer for the purpose of section 19 and shall inform the Chief Commissioner or the State Commissioner, as the case may be, about the appointment of such officer.

(2) Any person aggrieved with the non-compliance of the provisions of section 20, may file a complaint with the Grievance Redressal Officer, who shall investigate it and shall take up the matter with the establishment for corrective action.

(3) The Grievance Redressal Officer shall maintain a register of complaints in the manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government, and every complaint shall be inquired within two weeks of its registration.

(4) If the aggrieved person is not satisfied with the action taken on his or her complaint, he or she may approach the District-Level Committee on disability.

3. All Ministries/Departments are advised to ensure compliance with the above provisions of the RPwD Act, 2016.

Encl: as above

(Debala Bhattacharjee)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Tel: 011-2436-6027

To,
All Ministries/Departments of Govt. of India