The Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities was set up under Section 57 of The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights & Full Participation) Act, 1995. The office has been mandated to take steps to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities. Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 replaced The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights & Full Participation) Act, 1995. Under new statute Section 74 of RPwD Act, 2016 provides for appointment of a Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and two Commissioners to assist the Chief Commissioner at the Centre. Section 75 of RPwD Act, 2016 the mandated function of the Chief Commissioner as under:-
(1) The Chief Commissioner shall-
(a) identify, suo motu or otherwise, the provisions of any law or policy, programme and procedures, which are inconsistent with this Act and recommend necessary corrective steps;
(b) inquire, suo motu or otherwise, deprivation of rights of persons with disabilities and safeguards available to them in respect of matters for which the Central Government is the appropriate Government and take up the matter with appropriate authorities for corrective action;
(c) review the safeguards provided by or under this Act or any other law for the time being in force for the protection of rights of persons with disabilities and recommend measures for their effective implementation;
(d) review the factors that inhibit the enjoyment of rights of persons with disabilities and recommend appropriate remedial measures;
(e) study treaties and other international instruments on the rights of persons with disabilities and make recommendations for their effective implementation;
(f) undertake and promote research in the field of the rights of persons with disabilities;
(g) promote awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities and the safeguards available for their protection;
(h) monitor implementation of the provisions of this Act and schemes, programmes meant for persons with disabilities;
(i) monitor utilisation of funds disbursed by the Central Government for the benefit of persons with disabilities; and
(j) perform such other functions as the Central Government may assign.
(2) The Chief Commissioner shall consult the Commissioners on any matter while discharging its functions under this Act.
The office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) is a part of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is entrusted with the welfare, social justice & empowerment of the disadvantaged and marginalised section of the society viz, Scheduled Caste, Minorities, Backward Classes, Disabled, Aged Persons, Street Children and victims of Drug Abuse etc. Presently, Ms. Anjali Bhawra, IAS, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is holding the additional charge of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.
Briefly, the O/o Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities deals with the issues/cases concerning the rights and facilities made available to persons with disabilities or non-compliance of law, rules, bye-laws, regulations, etc., issued by the Government of India for the welfare and protection of rights of persons with disabilities.
For any information, please contact:
Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)
5th Floor, NISD Building, Plot No.G-2, Sector-10, New Delhi-110075
Tele# 011-20892364, 20892275
E-mail: ccpd@nic.in, Website: www.ccdisabilities.nic.in
Further contact information can be seen on Contact Us page.
