Rajya Sabha passes Disability Bill

The Rajya Sabha on 14 December 2016 passed the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 by voice vote. 
●    The proposed legislation will replace the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 after its passage by the Lok Sabha and approval of the President.
●    It fulfills the government’s responsibilities under the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities to which India is a signatory. 
●    It will benefit around 2.8 crore disabled population in the country.
●    The bill deals with a range of issues – rights, social protection, reservations, welfare schemes – for the all round development of disabled.
●    The bill identifies 19 conditions as disabilities against the seven disabilities identified by the existing Act.
●    Under the bill, persons with at least 40% of a disability will be entitled to reservations in education and employment and preference in government schemes.
●    It authorises the district courts to provide for two types of guardianship – limited guardianship and plenary guardianship. 
●    In order to ensure its stricter compliance, it specifies punishments for the violators. The guilty will be punished with imprisonment up to six months, and/or fine of Rs 10000.