Digital Goa, July 20 – The State of Goa is yet to comply with three of the 13 mandatory provisions under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 as on May 11, 2023, informed affidavit submitted by the Union Government in the Supreme Court. The Act came into force in Goa after it was notified in Sept 2019. However, even four years after the notification, State govt is yet to create state fund for Persons with Disabilities as mandated under Section 88 of the Act. Goa govt has also not complied with other provisions under the act such as appointment of Public Prosecutor as per Section 85 of the Act and Appointment of Nodal Officer in District Education office as per Sections 16,17 and 31 of the RPwD Act, 2016 and Rule 7 of the RPwD Rules 2017. Incidentally, 11 states have separate departments for persons with disabilities. Goa govt has also announced earlier that a separate dept will be formed for PwD. SC is hearing a petition about the enforcement of the rights of PwDs by implementing the Act 2016. The matter is listed for further hearing on September 18.
