<p>The Union Budget 2021 has spoken that it rests on six pillars, one of which is inclusive development for aspirational India, but persons with disabilities have once again been neglected. Year after year, the disability sector sends its asks to the governments of India but this time again, these asks were not even mentioned.</p>.<p>This budget was of utmost importance due to the ongoing pandemic as people have lost jobs and children have dropped out of schools because of the lack of facilities.</p>.<p>The ‘Atma Nirbhar Swasthya Bharat Scheme’ which is the highlight of this year’s budget focusing on strengthening of primary and secondary health care centres has no word on persons with disabilities. However, we hope that all disabled people are included under the announced health schemes.</p>.<p>The saddest part is that the budget document is still referring to the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. We have entered into the 5th year of RPWD Act 2016 and yet, time and again, we have to remind the government about the latest laws on disability.</p>.<p>Other than exempting senior citizens who are over the age of 75 from ITR filing and easier dividend payout, there was no specific mention of inclusion and schemes for persons with disabilities that was announced in the budget. The budget for the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DePwD) has been reduced to Rs 1,171.76 crore from Rs 1,325.39 crore, with an approximate cut of Rs 150 crore.<br /><br />As a sector, we are all disappointed and concerned about the future of persons with disabilities in our country.</p>.<p>(<span class="italic">The writer is Executive Director, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People</span>)</p>
<p>The Union Budget 2021 has spoken that it rests on six pillars, one of which is inclusive development for aspirational India, but persons with disabilities have once again been neglected. Year after year, the disability sector sends its asks to the governments of India but this time again, these asks were not even mentioned.</p>.<p>This budget was of utmost importance due to the ongoing pandemic as people have lost jobs and children have dropped out of schools because of the lack of facilities.</p>.<p>The ‘Atma Nirbhar Swasthya Bharat Scheme’ which is the highlight of this year’s budget focusing on strengthening of primary and secondary health care centres has no word on persons with disabilities. However, we hope that all disabled people are included under the announced health schemes.</p>.<p>The saddest part is that the budget document is still referring to the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. We have entered into the 5th year of RPWD Act 2016 and yet, time and again, we have to remind the government about the latest laws on disability.</p>.<p>Other than exempting senior citizens who are over the age of 75 from ITR filing and easier dividend payout, there was no specific mention of inclusion and schemes for persons with disabilities that was announced in the budget. The budget for the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DePwD) has been reduced to Rs 1,171.76 crore from Rs 1,325.39 crore, with an approximate cut of Rs 150 crore.<br /><br />As a sector, we are all disappointed and concerned about the future of persons with disabilities in our country.</p>.<p>(<span class="italic">The writer is Executive Director, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People</span>)</p>