Source: TH
Context: The Union government is facing criticism from rights activists and the Opposition for omitting disability-related questions in the sixth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS).
- The government’s response to the Parliamentary committee’s earlier recommendations explained that data on PwDs is primarily derived from decennial censuses and sample surveys on disability.
- The government also introduced Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards for individuals covered under disability schemes, but the committee found this approach insufficient, as the number of issued UDID cards did not match the estimated PwD population.
Recommendation:
The committee emphasized the need for innovative solutions and recommended that the government collaborate with State governments and other departments/organizations involved in PwD welfare schemes to arrive at a realistic assessment of the PwD population in the country.
About Persons with Disabilities:
- Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) refer to individuals who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments that may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
- As per Census 2011, at the all-India level, disabled persons constitute 2.21% of the total population.
