Disability Rights Groups Criticize Budget Allocation for PwD

The 2024-25 Union Budget has allocated Rs 1,225.27 crore to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, a marginal 0.02% increase from the previous year. Disability rights organisations criticise the budget for neglecting PwD, citing insufficient funding and lack of new schemes for employment and skill development.

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has been allocated Rs 1,225.27 crore in the fiscal year 2024-2025, marking a marginal increase of 0.02% from the previous year. Disability rights organizations have expressed dissatisfaction with the Union Budget, citing continuing neglect of people with disabilities (PwD) despite government's promises of inclusive growth.

This budget aims to sustain and enhance key programs for improving the lives of persons with disabilities through various schemes and projects. A significant portion, Rs 615.33 crore, is allocated to the National Program for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, an increase from the previous year's Rs 502 crore.

Despite these increases, critics like the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) argue that the allocation remains a mere 0.025% of the total budget, significantly lower than the 5% demanded by disability rights organizations. Activists also highlight reductions in support for autonomous bodies and scholarships, expressing concerns over its impact on education and rehabilitation services for PwD.