The resolution was adopted by the 24th Party Congress of CPI(M)
The 24th Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expresses its deep indignation at the continued neglect and deprivation that India’s disabled population faces.
The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) estimates that more than 50 per cent of India’s disabled population lives below the poverty line. Pitiable living conditions are a major contributor to disability. Additional costs towards assistive devices, healthcare, caregiving, transportation etc. accentuates their already miserable conditions. Disabled people countenance discrimination, economic deprivation and social marginalization.
The neo-liberal policies pursued aggressively under the Modi government have further accentuated their already miserable living conditions. Privatisation, outsourcing and contractualisation dilute the four per cent reservation in government jobs.
Livelihood challenges faced by people with disabilities in India are aggravated by inadequate support systems, inaccessible public infrastructure and workplaces. This is compounded with systemic neglect and discrimination which further deprives them of sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Unemployment among the disabled is as high as 65 per cent as per the 2011 census. Placement of those registered with the special employment exchanges is as low as 0.9 per cent. Though there is no authentic data available, available data suggests that the employment rate in the private sector is an abysmal 0.58 per cent. Cuts in allocations for programmes like MNREGA have further worsened an already grim scenario.
Large sections of the disabled population are compelled to be dependent on social security pensions. Despite all the rhetoric of Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas, the Modi government has refused to enhance allocations for the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS). Even the recommendation of the Standing Committee to substantially increase it has been ignored. Budgetary allocations have remained stagnant for a long time with no upward revision in the miserly amount of Rs 300 per month since 2012.
Notwithstanding the provision in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPDA) that a person with a disability of 40 per cent or more is eligible for various entitlements, for availing IGNDPS one has to have a disability of at least 80 per cent. Additional conditions like BPL category and the 18-29 age bracket ensures that more than 96 per cent of the disabled population identified by the 2011 census remains excluded from this scheme. Financial constraints imposed by the Centre’s policies also hinder state governments from discharging their responsibilities.
While designing social security schemes, the additional costs that disability entail are not factored in. The RPDA mandate that the quantum of assistance given to disabled persons be 25 per cent higher as compared to others in similar schemes stands violated.
For ensuring a dignified life for India’s disabled population, the 24th Congress of the CPI(M) demands:
1. Extend reservations in jobs to the private sector. Extend four per cent job reservation to temporary, casual and contractual employment.
2. Enact a “Right to Pension Act” with guaranteed provision for annual increment to account for inflation.
3. Remove the exclusionary criteria in the IGNDPS.
4. Enhance the Central share of pension to Rs 5,000 per month.
5. Provide AAY cards to all disabled.
6. Provide caregiver allowance.