NCPEDP pushes for hike in Union Budget allocation for differently-abled

New Delhi, Nov 28 : The National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) has said the budgetary allocation for people with disabilities has been too low in the past few years. It has urged the Central government to increase the allocation in the upcoming Union Budget.
In a letter to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, te NCPEDP said,”Over the past few years the budgetary allocation for person with disabilities has been 0.04 per cent which is disheartening and inadequate to meet the needs of this particularly vulnerable and marginalised section of society.” It noted that people with disabilities have been the worst-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic this year.
“Loss of access to healthcare, support systems, education, livelihood and even basic food supplies are the new normal for the vast majority of India’s differently-abled community. At this time especially and in the near future, access to support has become a survival issue.” Among its recommendations, the rights’ body for the disabled people said the Union government should ensure inclusive tax policy measures for the differently-abled.
The NCPEDP said no GST should be levied on aids and appliances for persons with disabilities and no tax should be imposed on the purchase of cars and wheelchairs available in the national and international markets.