In order to ensure the rights of people with disabilities, there is a need for a national advisor on the subject to the prime minister, former chief justice of the Delhi High Court Ajit Prakash Shah said Thursday.
"There is a need for a national advisor on disability to the prime minister, as it will help in bridging the gap between policies and ground realities," Shah said at the inauguration of a two-day meet on the disability sector in the capital.
"This step will also help India fully implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) of which it is a signatory," he added.
The CRPD requires its signatories to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by people with disabilities and ensure that they enjoy full equality under the law.
According to government estimates, there are approximately 20-30 million disabled people in India. However, NGOs estimate the numbers are around 60-70 million.
In contrast to the population, NGOs like the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) say that only a handful of them are educated and employed.