9 Years of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan: Key Achievements and Future Outlook (GS Paper 2, Social Justice)
Why in News?
- On December 4, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked 9 years of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, a crucial initiative aimed at ensuring universal accessibility for persons with disabilities in India.
The Need for Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan
- India, as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), is committed to creating an accessible environment for persons with disabilities.
- Before 2015, efforts to achieve this were fragmented and lacked a cohesive strategy.
- The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 was welfare-oriented but did not adequately address accessibility issues or empower persons with disabilities.
- To address this, the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan was launched in 2015, aiming to make public infrastructure, transport systems, and digital platforms accessible.
About Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan
Launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan aims to provide equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. The initiative focuses on creating accessible environments in:
- Physical Infrastructure
- Transportation
- Information & Communication
The campaign has been integrated into the Creation of Barrier-Free Environment Scheme under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA) to ensure ongoing efforts towards accessibility.
Key Achievements of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan
Accessible Infrastructure:
-
- Audits: 1,671 government buildings have been audited for accessibility.
- Funding: ₹562 crore allocated for retrofitting 1,314 buildings.
- Retrofitting: Accessibility features have been added to 1,748 government buildings.
Transportation:
-
- Airports: 35 international and 55 domestic airports made accessible.
- Railway Stations: 709 stations fully accessible, 4,068 partially accessible.
- Buses: 8,695 buses fully accessible, 42,348 partially accessible.
- Bus Stations: 3,120 out of 3,533 bus stations are equipped with accessibility features.
Digital Accessibility:
-
- Websites: 95 Central and 676 State Government websites made accessible.
Education and Language Accessibility:
-
- Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre established.
- Training: 1,013 individuals trained in Indian Sign Language.
- Diploma: 183 students completed the Diploma in Indian Sign Language Interpretation (DISLI).
Media Accessibility:
-
- TV Standards: Published accessibility standards for TV viewing for people with hearing impairments.
Ongoing Efforts for Persons with Disabilities
- DEPwD: The Department serves as the nodal agency for disability-related issues.
- Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS): Provides grant-in-aid to NGOs for projects related to the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
- District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC): Supports through early identification, assistive devices, and awareness.
- ADIP Scheme: Helps persons with disabilities purchase aids and appliances.
- SIPDA (Schemes for Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016): A central sector scheme with 10 sub-schemes aimed at empowering persons with disabilities.
- Divya Kala Mela: A national fair celebrating the contributions of Divyang artisans.
- PM-DAKSH: A platform offering skill training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
- Financial Commitment: Budget allocation for disability-related schemes increased from ₹560 crore in 2013-14 to ₹1,225.15 crore in 2023-24, with ₹1,143.89 crore spent in 2023-24, the highest in a decade.
Future Outlook
- The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan has made significant strides toward creating an inclusive society by addressing accessibility challenges.
- Continued efforts, coupled with innovative solutions, will ensure the mission to empower every individual remains steadfast, promoting equitable development for all and paving the way for a barrier-free and inclusive India.
